Epimedium x omeiense 'Akame'

Barrenwort Berberidaceae

A particularly handsome evergreen Epimedium, and one of those plants where the foliage deserves almost as much attention as the flowers. The large, glossy, arrow-shaped leaves emerge attractively mottled and bronzed before settling to deep green, sometimes taking on maroon tones in autumn. In late spring, elegant sprays of remarkably colourful flowers appear, combining cherry-red sepals with orange-yellow cups and long white spurs tipped in yellow. Collected on Mount Emei in Sichuan, China, by Japanese plant hunter Mikinori Ogisu, this clone was used by Professor William Stearn as the type specimen for Epimedium × omeiense. 

Height: 35–40cm
Spread: 40–60cm

A rather spectacular piece of botanical history — and considerably prettier than most type specimens have any right to be.