Epimedium franchetii

RHS Plant Profile

Franchet's barrenwort

Herbaceous Perennial

Buy this from Plant Nurseries
3 Suppliers

A clump-forming semi-evergreen perennial, to around 40cm high, with leaves divided into three narrowly heart-shaped green leaflets, with spiny edges and long pointed tips. Leaves emerge pink-tinted in spring, along with sprays of small, spidery yellow flowers, borne on wiry stems above the leaves

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Berberidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Epimedium are rhizomatous perennials with evergreen or deciduous, ternately or pinnately divided leaves, and open sprays of small, bowl-shaped flowers, often with prominent spurs, in mid to late spring
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: China (Hubei, Guizhou)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, with shelter from cold, drying winds. Thrives in dappled shade but will tolerate full shade. Where frosts are prolonged or severe, spread an organic mulch such as leaf mould or composted bark to protect plants over winter

Propagation

Propagate by seed, by division in autumn or after flowering, or by root cuttings of rhizomes, kept under glass in winter, and planted out after all danger of frost has passed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Banks and slopes
Flower borders and beds
Ground cover
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Clip back old leaves in late winter or early spring, before new flower spikes form

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to virus diseases