Epimedium alpinum - Barrenwort

Epimedium alpinum, also known as Elf Flowers, is a small wild species. In spring, it forms a cloud of small reddish-brown and yellow flowers, particularly remarkable in shaded borders.

Originally from the mountains of central and eastern Europe, Epimedium alpinum has been cross-bred to produce the famous Epimedium x rubrum.

Grown for its evergreen foliage, apple green in spring and deep green in winter, it forms a 30cm (12in) tall and 30-40cm (12-16in) wide groundcover. In late winter, small panicles form a cloud of small bicoloured flowers composed of sulfur-yellow petals folded in a reddish-brown calyx.

Very hardy and easy to grow, Epimedium alpinum thrives in all exposure conditions. However, it is particularly decorative in shade, under trees or on slopes alongside ferns, bleeding hearts, or cardamines.

Elf Flowers are excellent groundcover plants for shade. Western species are more tolerant but have less conspicuous flowers. They can tolerate dry shade and heavy or limestone soils.

Asian species, which are more attractive, prefer moist soils, especially in summer, rich in humus. They thrive in shaded areas. The flowering period ranges from March for the earliest to June for the latest. The foliage is evergreen in over 90% of the species and regenerates in spring, giving way to young decorative foliage often streaked or marbled with brown, copper, or red, depending on the variety.