Epimedium davidii

BISHOP'S HAT, BISHOP'S MITRE
Family: Berberidaceae
Pronounced: ep-ee-MEE-dee-um day-vid-EE-eye

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GROWING GUIDE

Geographic Origin:
Western China.
Plant Group:
Perennial.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: 2-9, 14-17.
USDA zones: 5-9.
Heat zones: 9-4.
Mature size:
Height: 12 inches (15-30 cm).
Width: 18 inches (45 cm).
Flowering period:
Mid spring to early summer.
Flowering attributes:
Borne on 12-24 inch tall stems, the flowers have yellow sepals with red inner-sepals.
Leaf attributes:
Evergreen, heart-shaped, green leaves with tufts of reddish hairs at the nodes. Young leaves are copper colored, changing to green as the leaf matures.
Growth habit:
Clump-forming.
Light:
Partial to full shade.
Soil:
Humus rich, fertile, well-drained, dry to medium soil.
Propagation Methods:
Sow seed as soon as ripe and place in cold frame. | Divide in autumn or after flowering.
Pruning Methods:
Shear plants back to the ground in late winter, to keep the flowers above the foliage.

Found growing on moist, limestone cliffs and next to streams, Epimedium davidii is a native of western Sichuan Province, P.R. China. It tolerates our acidic soils even though its nativity is on wet, limestone cliffs.

The demure E. davidii spreads slowly, eventually reaching two feet across in five years. A mass planting of this charming perennial, under trees or shrubs, makes an appealing effect. Its main flush of blooms is in mid spring to early summer; however, by keeping your plants well watered and rich in organic matter, you will be rewarded with flowers throughout the season.

Photographed in author's garden.

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