Bishop’s Hat / Epimedium

Epimedium x versicolor ‘Neosulphureum’ – An old cultivar of Bishop’s Hat introduced by the Ghent Botanical Garden in the 1800’s – it differs from ‘Sulphureum’ by having slightly lighter flowers and more leaflets. It bears pale yellow blooms over green heart-shaped foliage that emerges with a burgundy-red tint. Prefers open shade. Grows 12-15″ high. Hardy to zone 5.

Epimedium x warleyense – This evergreen perennial is a cross of Epimedium alpinum and E. pinnatum sub. colchicum. It bears coppery-orange blooms with yellow centers from mid to late spring. The heart-shaped leaves are tinted red both at spring flush and again in the fall. Tolerates dry shade once established. Grows 20″ high by 30″ wide. Hardy to zone 5.

Epimedium pubigerum – This native of Turkey, Bulgaria and Georgia is one of the taller Barrenworts and forms a dense evergreen mound (semi-evergreen in colder climates) of green heart-shaped foliage. It produces pale yellow to cream blooms with a pink blush, starting in April. A reliable choice that was introduced back in 1887. Grows 18″ high and wide. Zone 5.

Epimedium x perralchicum ‘Frohnleiten’ – A large-flowered (up to 1″ across) cultivar of this E. perralderianum x Epimedium pinnatum sub. colchicum cross. ‘Frohnleiten’ bears bright yellow flowers from April to May and prefers part to full shade, with some protection from cold winter winds. New foliage emerges with bronze marbling. Grows 12″ high by 18″ wide. Hardy to zone 5.

Epimedium x youngianum ‘Merlin’ – A choice cultivar of a Epimedium  diphyllum and E. grandiflorum cross with pale purple and white flowers with an unusual translucent quality about them. It blooms from mid to late spring on red-tinted stems over green heart-shaped leaves. It is herbaceous and the new foliage is lightly bronze-tinted. Grows 8-12″ high by 12″ wide. Zone 5.