How Do You Grow Epimedium?
As a native of China, the Epimedium plant is somewhat new to perennial gardens of the United States. It is a family of many variations, from low, creeping varieties to upright bushes with bright flowers to dainty little white flowers. Most of the leaves are heart shaped and vary in color from green to bronze and the flowers hang as pendulums from upright stems. It is also known as Horny Goat Weed, Bishop’s Hat and Barrenwort. Prepare the soil in your perennial garden bed by digging down about 6 inches. Remove any rocks and work in a good shovelful of leaf compost or peat moss, more if you have sandy soil. If you are planting under a tree, build up the soil on the top of the roots if they are exposed. Plant Epimedium in the early spring, but after the danger of frost, in a shady area of your perennial garden. It can tolerate partial shade, but will not grow in direct sun. When you order the plants from a nursery, they should be small but well rooted. Remove the plant from the pot and lo
