Epimedium, Barrenwort, Bishop's Mitre, Fairy Wings 'Sulphureum'

Epimedium x versicolor

Family
Berberidaceae (bear-ber-id-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Epimedium (ep-ih-MEE-dee-um)
Species
x versicolor (ver-see-KOL-or)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Smooth
Height
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
Bloom Color
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are good for cutting
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Seed Collecting
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Merced, California

San Francisco, California

Barnesville, Georgia

Machesney Park, Illinois

Plainfield, Illinois

Washington, Illinois

Lexington, Massachusetts

Royal Oak, Michigan

Piedmont, Missouri

Sparks, Nevada

Greenfield, New Hampshire

Scotch Plains, New Jersey

Ruidoso, New Mexico

Fairport, New York

Syracuse, New York

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Norristown, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Wynnewood, Pennsylvania

Christiana, Tennessee

Jackson, Tennessee

Pittsburg, Texas

Salt Lake City, Utah

Lacey, Washington

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Gardener's Notes:

6
positives
2
neutrals
1
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
C
ROSLINDALE, MA | March 2016 | positive

Makes an attractive, weed-smothering ground cover, though it's not cheap.

Flowers are a light lemon-yellow, very attractiv...Read More

A
Calgary, AB (Zone 3b) | March 2012 | neutral

Hardy in northern zone 3.

M
Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4a) | June 2008 | neutral

Not zone 4 hardy - some companies were trying to sell it as a zone 4 plant in the late 1990s but two attempts to try it had failed.

G
(Zone 5a) | May 2008 | positive

A great little groundcover that does well in a shady, dry area. Attractive yellow flowers in April-May in my garden.

H
H
Philadelphia, PA | January 2008 | positive

It took several years for this plant to become impressive, it's now 30" in diameter. I dig out sections from the edges that transplant a...Read More

P
Deal, NJ (Zone 7a) | May 2005 | negative

Wow what a wholly unimpressive plant.... I know shade options are limited but honestly :) I guess I was expecting more from this plant ...Read More

L
Merced, CA (Zone 9a) | May 2005 | positive

A secret garen treasure that can survive years of neglect and still come back to a lush fairy land delicate with a little water.

N
Sparks, NV (Zone 7a) | March 2005 | positive

This is by far the most vigorous of several Epimediums I grow.

T
Piedmont, MO (Zone 6a) | April 2004 | positive

Airy, hardy, small-leaved groundcover that has delicate light yellow blooms in early spring. New leaves emerge after blooming has started...Read More

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