One of the great shade plants for dry area are the Epimediums, they thrive in shade, flower and will form a dense matt over time that makes the useful as a ground cover plant.
Epimedium plants are also known as ‘Barronwort’ and are mostly from Southern China and make an excellent garden plant. Valued for the ability to grow in deep shade Epimediums are also sought for both foliage and flowers which form in spring.
Varieties
All species make great ground cover beneath deciduous trees, with flowers in early spring through to summer they can also be used in the rock garden or as border plants. Epimedium Rubrum, grandiflorum, and sagittatum are all popular species, however with dozens of species and hybrids available, foliage and flower colour differs greatly.
- Pictured right is the very pretty species Epimedium accuminatum.
- Epimedium perralchicum ‘Frohnleiten’ is readily available however many other interesting species can be found for sale from specialist suppliers.
- E. leptorrhizum has some of the largest flowers of all.
- Epimedium pierres ‘purple’ is a popular mid sized cultivar. Apply organic mulch in winter for best results. With yellow, white and pink flowers these are a fairly tough plant and mix well with Aquilegia.
- Epimedium sagittatum is known as Horny Goat Weed.
- Epimedium x versicolor-‘Sulphureum’ (pictured left) is one of the prettiest yellow flowing Epimediums we have seem.
Epimedium x versicolor neosulphureum - And as for bold foliage, and we are not just talking about autumn colour, try the Spiny Leafed form of the rare, and therefore fairly expensive Epimedium wushanense. Large leaves with prominent spines along the edges.
Care
Although these are really a plant and forget ground cover, a little extra care will have them looking great.
- Plant in a humus rich soil in light to dappled shade.
- Water in well with a liquid seaweed fertiliser and take care to water through the first summer. After this Epimediums will be surprisingly drought tolerant if grown in shade.
- Mulch around newly planted varieties to maintain some moisture and a cool root run.
- You can prune these plants back the ground in winter, this allows the flowers to be shown off to their full extent, it also refreshes the foliage.
- After pruning, mulch and liquid fertilise. We like to mix a little aged cow manure and blood and bone in with the mulch.
Epimediums do like shade, here are few other shade loving plants worth considering.
Acorus, Ajuga reptans, Astilbe, Clivia, Dicentra, Helleborus, Heuchera, Hosta, Hydrangea, Lily of the Valley, Saxifrage, Solomon’s Seal.
Epimedium plants are available for sale from the following nurseries
138 Olinda-Monbulk Rd, Olinda VIC 3788
"Large range of rare and unusual plants.."
www.gentiananursery.com.au
Large variety of Epimediums, Woodland plants and Herbaceous perennials
Mail order or nursery. We do not send to Tasmania or WA
www.cloverhillrareplants.com
PO Box 7040 Leura NSW 2780
Rare woodland plants, Trilliums Epimediums, Arisaemas, plus much more.www.lynnsrareplants.com.au
21 Eridge Park Rd Bowral NSW 2576
Large range of rare plants, bulbs, trees and shrubs for sale online from our Southern Highlands NSW nurseries.
www.moidartrareplantsandgarden.com
'Sylvan Vale' 375 Olinda Creek Rd, Kalorama, VIC.3766
Including a large range of Rare and unusual bulbs, corms and perennials
www.tonkinsbulbs.com.au
'Umbango' 750 Humula Rd, Humula NSW 2652
Phone 0408692773 Great Range of Perennial plants available for sale by mail order.
www.nutshellnursery.com.au
52 Rodd St Canowindra NSW 2804
An online nursery specialising in drought and frost tolerant perennials and fragrant, edible and herbs.
www.perennialle.com.au
357 Monbulk Road SILVAN VIC 3795
Guaranteed "garden worthy" bulbs, plants and perennials. Visit the website to browse our large range of daffodils or request the latest free catalogue.
www.tesselaar.net.au