Epimedium 'The Giant'

[Maya]

I have been growing E. 'Spine Tingler' for many years.
I have quite a few Epimediums in the garden. I really like the ones which have variegated new leaves in the spring (Paul probably vomited in his mouth while reading this :D ). I have E. The giant as well, although it hasn't lived up to its name so far (but I have had it for two years only, so there is still hope). I cannot remember where I bought it from.

[JohnH]

I haven't seen 'The Garden' article, I must look out for a copy ( is it worth renewing my subscription?).

Apparently some Epimedium can take years to settle in, let's hope 'The Giant' is one of them. I planted 'Black Sea' at least 5 years ago and it has only just taken off this spring.

According to a couple of growers, it is definitely not a good idea to cut back the foliage of Asiatic forms in late winter/early spring. Unfortunately, I have been treating all Epimedium in the same way and wondered why some faded away.

I accidentally bought 4 new varieties this week (they can be quite addictive :shock: ). 'La Rocaille' will be big and bold, however 'Double Cream' could be the pick of the bunch. It has the spiny foliage of 'Spine Tingler' (older leaves are overlaid with rust/dark red) and relatively large double milky white flowers. I don't usually like double flowers ( a bit of a marmite/variegation thing :lol: ) but I will make an exception here as the flowers are bigger and showier.

Is 'Spine Tingler' an Asiatic hybrid? Mine certainly objects to the spring chop.

[Chad]

By chance, Tony Avent posted on Epimedium this week.

Chad

[JohnH]

I may have overindulged my Epimedium obsession recently. I finally picked up a small 'The Giant' :lol: together with lots of other goodies.

The foliage of x rubrum 'Galadriel' becomes brighter as the weather turns colder. One for your Autumn/Winter border Paul?



E. sagittatum 'Warlord' should look amazing in a few years. Apparently the deeper the shade the larger the leaf, and the leaves are spectacular.



'Candy Hearts' has a corny name but a lovely form and colour.



I planned to take a couple of E. myrianthum and E. fargesii photos, but they are still under several inches of snow :(

[Paul S]

Nice. Gotta lovva epimedium. Or hate them, there's no epimedium. 😏

[JohnH]

Do we call Epimedium myrianthum variegated, I prefer to call it randomly splashed perhaps ;) ? It will fade later, but I like it a lot at this time of year.



'Double Cream' is out tingling 'Spine Tingler', it is a pity the double flowers are heavy and hide underneath the foliage.

[MartinNicklin]

Definitely variegated John - two or more colours in a leaf - and there is no shame in admitting it!!!

[Paul S]

[MartinNicklin]

I knew it. I just knew it!