Epimedium grandiflorum ‘Tama-No-Genpai'

Barrenwort Berberidaceae

A delightful Japanese selection with a name that sounds like it ought to involve a samurai, and in a roundabout way it does. ‘Tama No Genpei’ was introduced to the West through Darrell Probst’s Garden Vision, under collection number Cc. 950039, following its acquisition as a Japanese selection. It was subsequently included among the Cobblewood introductions. (Garden Vision Epimediums⁠)

The name is usually translated as “Jewel of Genpei”. Tama means jewel or precious bead, while Genpei refers to the historic Genpei conflict between the Genji (Minamoto) and Heike (Taira) clans, famously represented by opposing white and red colours. It is an unusually appropriate name for a plant whose flowers are distinctly bicoloured. 

And what flowers they are: masses of large lavender-pink and white blooms, with long, crisp white spurs, held above small leaflets whose fresh spring growth is attractively purple-flecked. The flower stems begin around 20cm and can elongate to approximately 40cm as the display develops. 

A deciduous, clump-forming Epimedium for woodland conditions, particularly good in humus-rich soil and partial shade. Once established it tolerates dry shade remarkably well.

Height: 20–40cm
Spread: 30–40cm
Flowering: April–May
Foliage: Deciduous
Hardiness: H6 (-20 to -15°C)