Epimedium - various threads gathered together here

[Hans J]

Epimedium 2009

Hi all ,

Since some years I collect Epimedium and I will try in this year to make some pics of them .
Here are some from today :



Epimedium epsteinii



Epimedium pinnatum ssp. colchicum



Epimedium 'Sasaki'

[Hans J]

here two E.grandiflorum forms and a hybrid :



Epimedium grandiflorum ?....knows maybe anybody this cultivar ?



Epimedium grandiflorum 'Coelestre'



Epimedium X rubrum

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Very nice Hans !!
Epimedium is not a genus I've given much attention in the past - maybe I should...    Problem : I have very little shade in the garden... 
Did the K. Van Poucke collection already show signs of life Hans?

[Hans J]

Thank you Luc ,

All the plants from Koen doing very fine ( much better than the Eranthis ).....I hope to post later pics when they flowers ( again thanks )
I grow many of my Epimedium in pots ( some like more acid soil than in my garden ) and some are tender ....
They are really good for covering the ground , gowing under tree peonies .....
and nice companions for : Galanthus,Leucojum, Helleborus,Hepatica ,Cyclamen,Eranthis ,Paeonia ...

[ChrisB]

Great photos, Hans.  I grow a number of them and have been surprised at how they tolerate dry shade.  I know many grow in more moist conditions than my dry garden, but quite a few have not only survived, but really thrived in my sandy soil.

[Hans J]

Great photos, Hans.  I grow a number of them and have been surprised at how they tolerate dry shade.  I know many grow in more moist conditions than my dry garden, but quite a few have not only survived, but really thrived in my sandy soil.

Chris ,

yes - I can confirm it - here is in summer also very dry and I give the plants in borders never any extra water .
In last winter I had all my Epimedium in pots protectet from rain on our teracce .....covered with a shade net ( to avoid sun and to protect for cold ) -they have received only one time in month water....

[shelagh]

Really enjoyed the pictures Hans, we have quite a few Epimediums and I was pleased to see E epsteinii for real rather than just an illustration please keep them coming.

[ChrisB]

Here is a purple epimedium I have, I think its called E. grandiflorum 'Lilafee'.  The other photo is of the foliage on the common E. perralchicum.  The foliage suddenly browned like this last summer.  Any idea what happened?  It seems to be coming back nicely now.

[Lesley Cox]

Very lovely images Hans, a real pleasure to see for me as we have so very few here in New Zealand. I'll look forward to seeing more of yours.

[maggiepie]

Hans, your epimediums are beautiful, I hope you have lots more pics to come.
Is it true these plants are sterile or can they set seed if hand pollinated?
 

[Lori S.]

Well, if I interpret Stearn correctly, epimediums are self-sterile, i.e. cross-pollination must occur between different individuals of the same species, in order for the seed to come true.  Apparently, garden hybrids are relatively common.

EDIT: So therefore not sterile, but pollen from the plant cannot fertilize its own flowers.

[shelagh]

They are known as the barrenworts but we have had SSS Self Sown Seedlings occasionally.

[Lori S.]

More from Stearn:  "Observation led to the conclusion then that clones of Epimedium are self-sterile but interfertile."
And:
The term "barrenwort" refers, apparently, to old medicinal uses relating to human fertility (as recorded by Pliny the Elder): "A poultice of the leaves beaten fine with oil prevented the breasts from swelling, the root caused barrenness and the leaves beaten fine and drunk in wine after menstruation  prevented conception for 5 days."  

[Hans J]

I had in last year on my E.pinnatum ssp.colchicum fertil seeds - I have sent it to a friend in England and he has confirm me that they have germinatet .

Thanks for the nice words for my pics - I will continue ....

[Renate Brinkers]

Hans,
great pictures. I love E.epsteinii and E.p.ssp.colchicum. Maybe anyone know this one. I got it as E.rubrum which it is definitly not but I have no idea what it really is.