Epimedium grandiflorum 'Circe'

RHS Plant Profile

barrenwort 'Circe'

Herbaceous Perennial

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A deciduous rhizomatous perennial to 30cm high, forming a compact clump of heart-shaped leaves that are deep bronze when young, maturing to green. Produces sprays of deep purplish-pink flowers, with outer sepals tinted white at the tips, on arching stems above the foliage in spring

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

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

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: East–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: Deciduous
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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in partial or dappled shade, with shelter from cold, drying winds. Protect with winter mulch in colder areas. Ideal woodland plant

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe, by division in autumn, or by root cuttings. Cuttings of rhizomes should be rooted under glass in winter and planted out in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Ground cover
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Clip back old stems in late winter before new growth begins

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to mosaic virus diseases