Epimedium 'Red Maximum'

RHS Plant Profile
barrenwort 'Red Maximum'

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Herbaceous Perennial
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A compact, clump-forming to spreading, evergreen to semi-evergreen perennial with ovate, spiny-toothed, light green leaflets, flushed red and bronze in spring and flushed red in autumn. In mid-to late spring, slender, wiry stems bear open racemes of maroon to reddish-purple flowers with white-tipped spurs.

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Clay

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Clay
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral or Acid

Position

Full shade Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or North–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
Evergreen, Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump forming, Spreading branched
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

Grows well in humus rich, moist but free draining soil in shade or partial shade.

Propagation

Propagate by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Garden edging
  • Ground cover
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Generally not required but old or faded foliage can be removed as required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free