Wednesday, February 16, 2011

ABC Wednesday - E


ABC Wednesday participants are many. If you would like to peruse the current postings, click on the logo for the link.

This week's letter is E. Enjoy!


Epimedium Grandiflorum 'Lilafee'


This is a new plant for me. I'd seen several garden bloggers with this little item and it, among other varieties, was highly touted.

I ordered the plant online, in 2009, receiving it in good time for planting. It was shipped bare root, and I potted it indoors immediately and set it in a warm, sunny window. There were to have been three plants, but I placed the Epimedium babies in the same pot and planted them in the very same way: together.

Epimedium, or Barrenwort, is a perennial that thrives in USDA zones 5 - 9. The plant is about 12" tall and is described as "clumping" as well as "ground cover." From all I've read, the plants "spread" about 2 to 3 inches per year. This is certainly tolerable! :-)

Epimedium enjoys the partial to full-shade conditions. This is a big plus for gardeners with shade gardens. As you can see, my shade is limited to large areas under deciduous trees. This means, in early Spring, we enjoy a lot of sunlight! :-)

Flowers appear in mid- to late-Spring. The 2010 growing season began very early last year. In fact, it was around three weeks earlier than normal. The photo above was taken April 17, 2010, and shows the Epimedium blooming quite profusely.


I also happened upon this photo of other . . .

Early Spring Bloomers!


Dicentra - Bleeding Heart 'Gold Heart' (left foreground), Virginia Bluebell (right foreground),
Pulmonaria - Lungwort - 'Milky Way' and an assortment of Spring Beauties and more Virginia Bluebells in the background. This photo was also taken April 17, 2010.

Something for which to look forward!!!


10 comments:

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Hi Shady,
That's a sweet plant I don't think I've heard of before. I have a spot it might like. I'll have to see if I find it now that I've heard of it. I didn't know about hellebores until a few years ago, and now have found several different kinds to plant.

Our weather is warming up. I am longing for the real spring planting season to be here.

ShySongbird said...

A pretty plant which I am not familiar with Shady, maybe we don't have it here.

I really enjoyed your post entitled (Valentine) Flowers. How lovely to see all that cheerful colour :)

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Sue, I completely understand being inspired by the plants you see on other blogs! Have fun planning for Spring! :-)

Hi Shy, I always appreciate your visits, too. Thank you!

Bonnie Kenaz-Mara said...

Great shots and helpful tips. I have huge amounts of shade in my city yard and have tried for years to have predominantly blues and purples in my flower beds, but most I've found are sun lovers.

Thank you!
B

Roger Owen Green said...

difficult to know WHAT the growing seasons are anymore.
nice ENTRY.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Misfit in Paradise said...

Every time I try to add an 'easy' plant to my garden, it never works. Unless it's lamb's ear. And then my whole property is overtaken.
Donna - ABC Team

troutbirder said...

Pretty for sure, but Zone 5 is pretty risky here. Bluebell I gotta have though. :)

Allyson said...

Epimediums are some of my most favorite plants... not only to they bloom early, the foliage is so pretty. I have several different varieties scattered around my garden. The longer I have them in my garden, the more I like them.

Shady Gardener said...

Hi, ChiL Mama, I hope you're able to try these flowers!

Thanks, Roger.

Misfit, it often seems that's the way it works! (Watch the plant description for "vigorous!") ;-)

troutbirder, want me to try sending you some?

Allyson, Do you post about your epimediums? I'd love to see!

Allyson said...

I'm sure pictures will be coming of my epimediums as they bloom this spring. With all the snow we've had, I need to get outdoors & trim back last years growth - it won't be long before they are in bloom again.