Epimedium 2010

[James R.]

Well I can tell you that I didn't pay $125.00 (I have good friends and we share). I got mine two years ago as a 1 gal plant but it is slow to establish. as of the other species of Epi. with one leaflet I dindnt know of E. elachyphyllum so that means 4 have only one the other three are E. baojinense, E. glandulosopilosum, E. zhushanese.

[RickR]

I didn't know epimediums are self infertile.  Do you know if this is true for all species of the genus?  (That is, at least what is known so far.)  For instance, Lilium spp. are generally self infertile, but there are several exceptions.

[James R.]

Yes it is as is known thus far; however, sometimes there are several seedling in a single clump that could lead people to believe this not to be true. I am sure that there are some exceptions. Podophyllum are the exact same you need two plants to get seeds.

[McDonough]

In the 2010 Garden Vision Nursery, there was a a new offering named Epimedium sp. nov. 'Smidgeon' described as "the tiniest of all Epimedium in our collections at only 4-5" in height. And as yet, unnamed species. It starts its flowering when only 2" tall.  The only self-fertile species of Epimedium that we have come across to date, it is related to E, platypetalum, but is clump forming."

I've had my doubts too, as I will get seed set on species, like E. rhizomatosum, with scattered flowers in July for example, but the only other Epimedium blooming (membranaceum, hybrids of it, and occasional few out-of-season flowers) would be about 300' away on the other side of the house.  However, I do think the bees are just doing their job, cross-pollinating flowers even if relatively far away.

[RickR]

Yes it is as is known thus far; however, sometimes there are several seedling in a single clump that could lead people to believe this not to be true. I am sure that there are some exceptions. Podophyllum are the exact same you need two plants to get seeds.

Thanks, Mark, and
 
Hah!  That explains it:  I had two nice plump Podophyllum hexandrum fruits, both with only one seed each, and one was non-viable.  I have a few widely dispersed plants in the garden, and I am not even sure they bloomed simultaneously.

[McDonough]

Observing a large batch of 3 year old Epimedium seedlings, I'm having some interesting results.  The most important realization came this summer with prolonged heat and drought that devastated the foliage on many (most) Epimedium grandiflorum and youngianum cultivars, with almost all foliage toasted to a crisp, those hybrid plants that had evergreen species in their lineage, such as sempervirens and pubigerum, laughed at the drought and looked as deep green and fresh as they did in spring.

I'm particularly excited by a batch of seedlings from E. youngianum 'Liliputian', one of the smallest varieties with white flowers, which crossed with some nearby evergreen species; either pubigerum, sempervirens 'Candy Hearts', or x sasakii (itself, a natural dyphyllum x sempervirens cross).  The resulting plants are all very dark green, evergreen, compact, and drought-tolerant.  One plant is particularly small, a real dwarf with concise leaves and tiny evergreen leaflets smaller than a fingernail.

1    Epimedium - evergreen 'Liliputian' hybrids in front row
2    E. selected dwarf evergreen 'Liliputian' hybrid, showing the brace of tiny evergreen leaves at the base, basal leaves only about 1" tall
      (it is my belief that the evergreen parent is E. pubigerum)
3    E. membranaceum x rhizomatosum cross, not great, but flowered all summer long, even in the drought.  Here, flowering in September.
4    E. membranaceum - 2 year old hybrid seedling, can't wait until spring!

[McDonough]

Following the spring display of Epimedium flowers, and the few summer-blooming types, I've been carefully reviewing the foliage on Epimedium species and cultivars, after all, much of the year it is their foliage that's the main attraction. Also, I review them with a new eye as I launch into an ambitious Epimedium hybridization program, looking for best characteristics, paying special attention to those that are truly drought-resistant (many get stressed under prolonged drought).  Most interesting this time of year, is the fall color "signature" of many epimedium.  Studying the autumn color (as well as the remarkable spring foliar colors), gives clues about various traits and species lineages, the signature fall colors often showing in hybrid progeny.  What follows are some random thoughts of Epimedium that I like:

1.   E. ilicifolium - the narrowish spiny-edged leaves make a concise dwarf clumping plant.  No fall color per se, but evergreen and small, with yellow flowers, this is a plant I shall be working with based on its growth habit.

2.   E. brachyrrhizum - I'm showing a young plant here, I have some gorgeous large clumps, one of the VERY BEST species in every aspect.  Evergreen leaves, it sometimes throws new growth of plum red; a great clumper, not a runner.  Excellent potential for hybridization.

3.   E. sempervirens 'Secret Arrow' - sempervirens is a key species in a hybridization program, absolutely drought-tolerant, not blinking an eye during this summer's record-breaking drought.  Hybrids involving sempervirens are equally drought-tolerant.  This particular selection introduced in 2000 by Garden Vision Epimediums is fantastic during all seasons, a low-growing clumper, but the fall color is outstanding.

4.   Darrell Probst introduced 9-10 different forms of E. grandiflorum f. flavescens, which he numbered to keep them separate; all are nice, all are distinct.  This is E. grandiflorum f. flavescens #5, which takes on a unique caramel color in fall, highlighted by brown veins.

5.   E. grandiflorum 'Tancho' - fall color reminds me of Lays Potato Chips, heart-shaped leaves are a very pale yellow with thin brown edging and veins.

6.   E. x youngianum 'Hagoromo' - hot pink fall color on this small one, and the delicate white and lavender flowers are slender and utterly unique.

7.   E. x youngianum 'Tamabotan' - a kaleidascope of dark purple foliage colors in spring and into summer, but the fall color is a diaphanous light pink color.  A number of other Epimedium take on such autumn colors.

8.   E. lishihchenii - one of the best species, heavy textured evergreen foliage is low and spreading, and very long season (into summer) of large spidery yellow flowers.  In autumn, the shiny rugose red-flushed leathery leaves are outstanding.

9.   E. x 'Black Sea'- a truly unique cultivar in every respect, in autumn and winter the evergreen foliage turns an unusual red-black shiny foliage.  In this photo, the color is just starting, by December it is near black.

10.  Epimedium x setosum - evergreen hybrids between E. diphyllum and E. sempervirens, this is by far one of my favorites. Clump forming plants covered with minute pure white flowers in spring, in fall taking on orange red foliage colors with green veining.

[Hoy]

I have not thought of Epiphyllums as fall color plants but I look at your picture with envy!  I would plant Epiphyllums all over if I had access to other than the common plants. Have to try seeds I presume.

Edit:
I have been busy bringing my Epiphyllums and other cacti indoors! I know the difference between Epiphyllum and Epimedium! (Even if you don't believe it!)

[McDonough]

Edit:
I have been busy bringing my Epiphyllums and other cacti indoors! I know the difference between Epiphyllum and Epimedium! (Even if you don't believe it!)

We believe you Trond, it's fun to see how our minds work and play tricks, particularly as we get older

I had a large batch of self-sown seedlings on E. sempervirens 'Mars', most I potted up, but left a few (3) where they sprouted.  It's hard to resist those perky little self-sown Epimedium seedlings. You can catch a bit of the rust-orange fall foliage color on Mars to the right.  Each seedling has taken on different fall colors, little hearts of promise.

[Hoy]

Promising dainties!
Your soil still looks dry, Mark. Here it is so soggy I can almost not walk on the lawn. It's like a bog.

[McDonough]

Promising dainties!
Your soil still looks dry, Mark. Here it is so soggy I can almost not walk on the lawn. It's like a bog.

What you're seeing is the well-decayed bark mulch that I top dress with.  The soil itself is actually fairly heavy rocky clay soil; no need to amend the soil much for Epimedium, they're not overly particular about soil.

[RickR]

...it's fun to see how our minds work and play tricks, particularly as we get older

Well I don't know about how "fun" it is, but it happens to us all.  I am embarrassed to say that I sent Coryphantha vivipara seed to the NARGS seed ex labeled Cryptantha!  Fortunately, our super duper intake manager, Laura S., knew better.  We are so lucky to have her!

[McDonough]

Every autumn I struggle with the same dilemma, whether to shear back Epimedium foliage in the autumn or wait until spring.

The mounds of foliage have such presence this time of year, some still dark green while many plants are already dormant, other epimediums lasting well into autumn and early winter with persistent and brightly colored foliage.  It typically goes like this; I plan on shearing the foliage after most leaves are killed off with the onset the really cold weather, but as it so often works out, a heavy snow arrives and the weather turns frigid, burying the plants in snowy ice-pack, so now I have to wait until spring.  But in spring, the "eppies" can start sprouting so early, it becomes *very labor intensive* to careful snip off all of the dead or battered foliage and twiggy remains of stems, without damaging new growth and inadvertently cutting off flower stems. With several hundred maturing eppies in the garden, the spring cleanup can be a nightmare if the old foliage isn't removed in time.

It's November, and foliage mounds of Epimedium still make a visual impact... what should I do, what should I do?  If I were smart about it, I would shear off all foliage very soon!

1-2   Colorful Epimedium foliage in the autumn garden.
3     Epimedium brevicornu with yellow foliage.
4     Epimedirum sempervirens 'White Purity' with leathery red fall leaves. I leave the foliage on
      most sempervirens forms, some overwinter quite well.
5     Epimedium x versisolor 'Versicolor' - one that is "semi-evergreen", I usuall leave the foliage on
      and snip off old foliage in late winter.
6     Epimedium grandiflorum var. coelestre 'Alpine Beauty' - colorful!
7     Epimedium planting near my deck stairs.

[RickR]

Mighty fine assortment, Mark.  Especially the multicolored ones.  Not many people would think of planting perennials for fall color.

[Hoy]

Very decorative, Mark. My few Epimediums are far more anonymous.