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Epimedium zhushanense
Zhushan Fairy Wings
Plant Type:
SHADE PERENNIALSEpimedium zhushanense – The dark purple flowers of the Zhushan Fairy Wings are as gorgeous as they are rich, on the blue side of the purple spectrum. Deep purple cups are accompanied by spurs whose knife-shaped centers are in the same shade. The margins and tops of each spur are sharply demarcated in lighter lavender-purple. The very large “spiders” on Epimedium zhushanense dangle from bronze-green wiry stems in May/June, earlier down south above interesting spiny bright green leaves. From near Zhushan, Hubei Province, China, this is still quite rare and spectacular species in the trade. Morning sun, dappled to open shade in fertile, draining soil. Drought tolerant once established. Established pot grown plant from division.
Characteristics and Attributes for Epimedium zhushanense
Season of Interest (Flowering)
- Spring
Season of Interest (Foliage)
- Spring / Summer / Autumn / into Winter
Nature Attraction
- Deer Resistant
Light
- Dappled Shade
- Morning Sun / Afternoon Shade
- Shade
Attributes
- Collector Plant
- Natural Garden
- Border
- Drought Tolerant
- Woodland
- Edging
- Accent
- Rock Garden
- Specimen
Growth Rate in the Garden
- Medium
Soil
- Draining
- Fertile
Origins
- China
Propagated By
- Division
Genus Overview: Epimedium
The Barrenworts have received much attention in recent years and deservedly so. They come in many differently-colored flowering forms sporting delicate, dangling spider-like blossoms in spring. Some, as in E. sempervirens, are virtually evergreen; many others deciduous with delicate kidney-shaped leaves on wiry stems. The foliage on many cultivars in our USDA zone 5b (-15F) remains handsome until the winter solstice supplying 2 to 3 seasons of interest, some even provide golden to purple-bronze autumn tones. Slowly, gradually, they form a ground cover in part to full, open shade in fertile soil. The Barrenworts or Bishop Hats exhibit fair drought tolerance and are well-behaved members in part to open shade. They work well in herbaceous borders, woodland gardens or down-facing shrubs. Epimediums are members of the Berberidaceae and are of Asian origin. Once established they exhibit fair tolerance to dry shade. All of the following are pot-grown divisions from our plants.