Epimedium platypetalum Sunny and Share - Barrenwort

Epimedium Sunny and Share is covered from the beginning of April and for a long period, with a multitude of small bright yellow bell-shaped flowers, above the foliage. Very floriferous, it surprises us by continuing to bloom in summer. Compact, it spreads slowly. Its evergreen foliage is composed of small round green leaves that are speckled with bronze. Cultivated in light shade, it is very hardy and tolerates any type of soil and drought.

Epimedium Sunny and Share belongs to the Berberidaceae family. It is a horticultural hybrid obtained in 2012 at the American nursery Plant Delights, probably derived from Epimedium platypetalum. This rhizomatous perennial plant sometimes takes a little time to establish itself, but eventually forms magnificent cushions, with a loose tufted habit, reaching a height of 35 cm (14in), occupying a minimum of 45 cm (18in) of space on the ground. In early spring it produces delicate flowers with a unique shape. They do not resemble those of other species. The rounded, spurless petals are a beautiful bright lemon yellow, perched on graceful and flexible stems.  Its foliage is composed of heart-shaped, almost round, serrated leaflets, whose speckled and marbled colour changes with the seasons. The young foliage is irregularly marbled with copper and bronze spots, becoming green as it ages.

Grow Epimedium Sunny and Share in a mass planting, or in a large shaded rockery, preferably along a path to fully enjoy its beauty. This Western species, which is very cold-resistant, is tolerant of difficult conditions, such as living in dense shade, under trees, in very dry soil, or in moist clay soil. They all grow relatively slowly, but live for many years in one place, without any special care. It grows well in shaded areas which are often neglected. It would be a shame to confine it as a utilitarian groundcover plant: accompanied by astilbes, Ferns, Hostas, Foxgloves, Candelabra Primroses, and sweet woodruff, Epimedium creates beautiful mass planting in light shade.