Epimedium x perralchicum 'Fröhnleiten'

Description: A clump forming perennial which retains its heart shaped evergreen leaves throughout winter. In late winter the  leaves are best cut to the ground so the sprays of small deep yellow flowers with prominent anthers appear from April to May.  The new leaves emerge as bronze turning green.

Uses: An ideal ground cover plant best in a lightly shaded site at the front of borders or woodland edge and well suited planted beneath trees.

Climate/Position: Partial shade preferred. Native habitat is moist hillside woodlands

Height/Spread: 30cm x 30cm

Soil Requirements: Humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil

Pruning: The overwintered foliage can look tired and damaged in spring and is best cut down and a mulch of well rotted compost is applied to retain moisture. This can be done prior to flowering in late winter and will ensure the delicate flowers are clearly seen, or, cut back after flowering if preferred.

Special Requirements: Lift and divide large clumps in autumn

Additional Interest: The name Epimedium comes from epi, upon, and Media, the country of Medes, south-west of the Caspian Sea. It was first used by the Greek herbalist Dioscorides in the first century AD. 

Named by Professor William Stearn in 1938, Epimedium x perralchicumwas found growing at Wisley in a planting made some time between 1878 and 1902 by the former owner George Fergusson Wilson. The hybrid was distinct from the surrounding plants of E. perralderianumand E. pinnatum subsp. colchicum, Stearn noticing that 'most of them agree exactly with neither E. perralderianum nor E. pinnatum subsp.colchicum, but combine in various ways their features'.

'Fröhnleiten' is a German cultivar selected by Heinz Klose which has bigger flowers.