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Epimedium 'The Giant'

Barrenwort

Plant Type:

SHADE PERENNIALS

Epimedium 'The Giant' (ex: Jonathan Lehrer) – On a well-established plant a wild tangle of light yellow-buff spiders with amber cups parachute by the hundreds from wiry stems that stand 3 to 4 feet tall in spring. Astonishingly, this extraordinary plant discovered in 2001 and collected by Darrell Probst in China sets forth new stalks from the old upon which new buds and flowers continue for about three months. Amazing! In warmer regions within bounds of its growing range 'The Giant' is an evergreen plant. Morning sun, dappled to open shade in fertile, draining soil. Drought tolerant once established. Exceptional. Established pot grown plant from division.


Height:

18-30 in

Spread:

24-32 in

Colors:

Buff Yellow

Zone:

(4b?)5 to 8
What is my hardiness zone?

Characteristics and Attributes for Epimedium 'The Giant'

Season of Interest (Flowering)

  • Spring / Summer / into Autumn

Season of Interest (Foliage)

  • Spring / Summer / Autumn

Nature Attraction

  • Deer Resistant

Light

  • Morning Sun / Afternoon Shade
  • Dappled Shade
  • Shade

Attributes

  • Woodland
  • Border
  • Accent
  • Rock Garden
  • Drought Tolerant
  • Collector Plant

Growth Rate in the Garden

  • Medium

Soil

  • Fertile
  • Draining

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.