Epimedium genus Epimedium from the Berberidaceae family for a long time and not without reason aroused great interest, which is reflected in the numerous and very vivid common names under which this plant is known abroad: fairy wings, horned herb or a bishop's hat.
The greatest decoration of the epimedium is the feathery," nicely arranged "leaves- from spring to In autumn, the flowerbeds are decorated with a carpet of green leaves, often maroon-red leaves in their youth. Against the background of shady flowerbeds, in which the epimedium feels best, they stand out with a light shade of green, darkening in summer and autumn.
Some species of epimedium always have green leaves, but in our conditions they are sometimes damaged by frost. In spring, flowers appear above the leaves, from which the evocative names of the genus originate. The four inner petals (called sepal in epimedium) of some species end with characteristic spurs or nectar-producing bags.
The color of the flowers can be purple and purple in various shades, but also yellow or white. The flowers are gathered in loose clusters, appearing in early spring, either before or with the developing leaves.
During flowering, epimediums reach a height of 50 cm. These small plants, however, not only have exceptional decorative qualities, but are also known primarily as effective aphrodisiacs. In the heart-shaped (how else!) Leaves there is icariin with an effect similar to the most popular potency drug. These properties have contributed to the severe depletion of many epimedium species in China.
The epimedium genus includes about fifty species found in Asia, Europe and North Africa. Most of them are endemic species, found only in small areas of China.
In gardens, the epimedium epimedium alpinum from the Caucasus and the Mediterranean is most often grown. It grows up to 30 cm, has white-purple flowers, tolerates water shortages and high temperatures in summer. The second species is Epimedium grandiflorum, growing in Japan, with light leaves with a delicate burgundy border.
The selection of garden epimedies is also significantly extended by numerous interspecies hybrids, often more popular than species, e.g. epimedium red Epimedium x rubrum, distinguished by red leaves and purple-white flowers. Among interspecies hybrids it is also worth mentioning epimedium variegated Epimedium x versicolor with yellow flowers and roundish sepals, epimedium Younga Epimedium x youngianum (most often found in the cultivar 'Niveum') with pure white flowers with long "spurs" and Warley's epimedium Epimedium x warley with flowers x warley. a rare red-yellow color.These hybrids arose as a result of breeding conducted since the nineteenth century, but under favorable conditions, they can also form spontaneously, even in our garden.
Epimedium feels bestin semi-shaded places.Fresh, slightly damp and humus soil, most species can cope with even deeper shade, e.g. under tree canopy - then they can only grow less.
In the right sites, most epimedium species are long-lived perennials that grow with the help of rhizomes. Some, such as the epimedium large-flowered and alpine, form compact clumps, others, such as epimedium variegated, grow intensively, quickly occupying a large area.
Regardless of the type of growth, the epimedium blends beautifully with geraniums, funkas and other ground cover plants, such as dark green hoof-plant, hepatica or hepatica. They also work great in the company of flowering bulbs in spring or hearts that fade in the summer, because they cover the places they leave behind in summer.
