Epimedium is finally coming into its own in American gardens, and with new species arriving from China each season, you can create a planting of true distinction in the partly shaded garden. This new species is quite rare and difficult to locate, but we believe it is destined to become a classic for the shade, thanks to its dramatic long-spurred blooms and brightly variegated foliage.
In late spring, the blooms appear in giant sprays of up to 20, each opening to an extraordinary form. The bottommost petals are white and slender, widely spaced and symmetrical. Centered on top of these are even more slender and longer rosy-pink petals, the "spurs" extending up to a half inch beyond the edge of the white base! And on top of the spurs are very short darker reddish-rose petals with curled edges, surrounding a tiny, upright chartreuse center. Incredible!
The flowers measure 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 inches wide, among the largest in the Epimedium family, and cluster together for a great show among the foliage. Remaining for several weeks, they add distinction to any shade garden, and are fascinating to study up close. If you like the spurred look of Aquilegia, you will love E. sutchuenense!
The foliage is handsome as well, and evergreen in most climates. Small and somewhat rounded, it is pale green with generous red blotches and splotches, particularly around the edges of each leaf. This variegation remains right through the worst summer heat and winter chill, though it tends to be strongest in spring and fall. Very showy!
E. sutchuenense is right at home in the shade border, making a splendid groundcover to add winter appeal to the display. Set it with its cousin E. ogisui or among other perennials in the shade, from Arisaema to Tricyrtis. Its early-season display welcomes another year of beauty into the shade garden — and it even thrives in the dry soil beneath trees, though it blooms best in adequate moisture and richer conditions. Acidic soil is best. Zones 5-9.
