Epimedium

These delightful woodland perennials are perfect for underplanting trees and shrubs. Although extremely shade tolerant, they need summer moisture, so avoid planting in too dry a site. Where adequate summer moisture prevails however, they will remain in lush growth all summer, and often give a second flush of flowers in the autumn.

At first, it surprised me that Epimedium are in the same family as Berberis, but there is a family resemblance in the shape of the flower. These are produced primarily in spring, and come in all shades of white, yellow, orange and purple. To add to the spring display, many have attractively coloured or mottled young leaves. These have a reputation for being vulnerable to late frosts. However, we are definitely in a frost pocket, yet have had no problem. If they are positioned within other planting, they will be protected.

Rich autumn colour further extends their season of interest. Many people cut off the old leaves in winter to better display the emerging young growth and flowers in spring. Although effective, this is not necessary if time precludes such labour; indeed it can make that new growth more vulnerable to frost.

A great many of them are actually evergreen and will maintain a rich carpet of foliage even through the winter. And so they really are worthwhile plants to add interest to any garden; whether at the foot of a solitary shrub or through an entire woodland.