Epimedium zhushanense dark-form

Barrenwort Berberidaceae

A rare and rather splendid Chinese species that has spent years being confused with its relatives. Epimedium zhushanense was described as a distinct species in 1985, from Zhushan in Hubei, China, and remains accepted as a species by Kew. 

It forms an evergreen clump of large, rough-textured, heavily spiny leaflets, with the undersides densely clothed in woolly, pale hairs. In spring, arching stems carry unusually large flowers, with white to pale lavender sepals and deep purple spurs, giving a particularly handsome two-tone effect. 

Several collections are in cultivation, including Cc 022403 ‘Dark Form’ and Cc 02885 ‘White Flowered Form’. Interestingly, specialist collections note considerable variation between these plants, particularly in leaf shape, indumentum and rhizome habit—evidence that the species is still giving Epimedium collectors plenty to argue about. 

Best in partial or full shade in humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil. Evergreen and remarkably architectural, it makes an excellent collector’s woodland plant.

Height: 30–45cm | Spread: 45–60cm
Flowering: April–May | Foliage: Evergreen
Hardiness: H6 (-20 to -15°C)