Epimedium × versicolor 'Sulphureum'

RHS Plant Profile

barrenwort 'Sulphureum'

Synonyms

Epimedium macranthum 'Sulphureum'
Epimedium × youngianum 'Sulphureum'
Epimedium sulphureum
Epimedium luteum

Herbaceous Perennial

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An evergreen perennial, to 35cm in height, forming a clump of red-tinted, light green leaves. Primrose-yellow flowers, 2cm in width, are carried in open sprays

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

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

Chalk Loam Sand

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

Position

Full shade Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–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): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Berberidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: 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

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial shade; shelter from cold, dry winds. Can tolerate full sun, full shade or slightly drier soils

Propagation

Propagate by division in autumn or after flowering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Rock garden
Flower borders and beds
Ground cover
Banks and slopes
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Pruning is unnecessary. Evergreen foliage can be sheared over in early spring to tidy old leaves and show off the flowers but in cold gardens this may expose new growth to frost damage

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevils

Diseases

May be susceptible to a virus