Re: [SG] Favorite Shade Ground cover - epimediums

I second Jack's recommendation of epimediums (Hi, Jack!).  There is such a
wide range of size and habit, from little deciduous clumping forms about 6"
(some forms are even smaller) to evergreen spreading forms to 2' tall or
more. And long lived - there are some older gardens in the East Coast with
50+ year old clumps that are doing just fine.  Another feature (seldom
mentioned for perennials in general), is beautiful fall color -  a mix of
golds, to oranges, burgundys. And they are almost carefree once
established.  (Except for those pesty root weevils.)

Some of the new chinese species are truly outstanding.  One of my current
favorites is E. leptorhizzum.  It is only about 8" tall, with 4"-5" narrow
dark olive green leaves with deeply impressed veins, and spreads
underground densely so it is a great weed supressor, but not so fast that
it is invasive. The flowers are a solid rose pink, and large for an
epimedium, with long spurs. Very elegant. It is relatively new in this
country, but somehow I think this is one that could become a standard in
the trade, with time, for it's good looks and it's easy low, evergreen,
groundcovering habit, and easy propragation.

A related plants that is also a great groundcover under trees, is
Vancouveria hexandra - here they call it 'Inside-out Flower' for the way
the petals (actually sepals) curve back, somewhat like a dodecatheon does,
or a less attractive name-'Duckfoot', a reference to the shape of the
leaves.)  It is native to forests of the Pacific Northwest and looks like a
refined Epimedium.  It is a wide spreader with time, deciduous, but can
take lots of root competition.  There are three species, V. hexandra,
(deciduous - lots of small white flowers on 12" stems ) V. planipetala,
(evergreen,  with smaller white flowers,) and the very choice V. chrysantha
- bright yellow, semi-evergreen, part of the fantastic flora of the
Siskiyou mountains of SW Oregon. V. hexandra seems to be the only one
commonly available, and never really very common.  They are so close
botanically to epimediums, that at one time they were considered to be
Epimediums.  One of the main differences, botanically speaking, is that
Epimediums have flower parts in 4's, Vancouveria are in 6's.

Diana





At 06:41 PM 1/2/99 -0800, you wrote:
>Hi All
>
>No one has mentioned Epimediums.  There are many that have been in the
trade for a while and many new hybrids from England and Japan.  And now
with trips to China many new species are slowly working their way into this
country.
>
>Some are evergreen and some are deciduous, they form slow creeping clumps.
Without being invasive, they can cover a woodland floor with a wonderful
carpet.  In the spring short sprays of star-like flowers appear in various
colors.  They like fertile soil and often tolerate drier conditions, most
are hardy to Z-5.
>
>Jack
>naylorck@olypen.com  Temporarily at www.hostasonline.com/naylor/index.html
and soon to be at NaylorCreek.com
>
>At 06:41 PM 1/2/99 -0800, you wrote:
>Hi All
>
>No one has mentioned Epimediums.  There are many that have been in the
trade for a while and many new hybrids from England and Japan.  And now
with trips to China many new species are slowly working their way into this
country.
>
>Some are evergreen and some are deciduous, they form slow creeping clumps.
Without being invasive, they can cover a woodland floor with a wonderful
carpet.  In the spring short sprays of star-like flowers appear in various
colors.  They like fertile soil and often tolerate drier conditions, most
are hardy to Z-5.
>
>Jack
>naylorck@olypen.com  Temporarily at www.hostasonline.com/naylor/index.html
and soon to be at NaylorCreek.com
>
>
COLLECTOR'S NURSERY
16804 NE 102nd Ave
Battle Ground, WA 98604
Bill Janssen/Diana Reeck

http://www.collectorsnursery.com
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