Epimedium grandiflorum 'Lilafee'

Common Name: Barrenwort, Longspur Epimedium

This plant is also sold under the name ‘Lilac Fairy’.

This is one of the larger Epimediums available, prized for its long-spurred, amethyst purple flowers which are held well above the foliage. Since many Epimediums tend to hide their flowers within or below their foliage, this is a key improvement.

This cultivar blooms in mid to late spring, with the flowers appearing shortly after the new foliage emerges. Though the flowers may only last for a few weeks, its lovely foliage will captivate your interest all season long.

The new leaves emerge with a strong bronzy red tinge, turn green for the summer months, and then back to bronzy red in fall.

Epimedium is effortless to grow, requiring just a quick trim of the old foliage in early spring, making it an excellent choice for low maintenance gardens and beginners. ‘Lilafee’ is a clump former which spreads somewhat slowly by underground rhizomes. It can be used as a ground cover, for erosion control, in shady rock gardens, as edging, and planted under mature trees. It tolerates dry, rocky, shallow soils, dense shade, and is deer and rabbit resistant.

Height:

8.0-12.0 Inches

Spread:

12.0-16.0 Inches

Hardiness Zones:

4,5,6,7,8

Flower Color:

Purple shades

Foliage Color:

Green shades

Sunlight:

Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun) Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)

Water Requirements:

Low Water Needs Average Water Needs

Soil Quality:

Average Soil Quality Fertile Soil Quality

Soil Chemistry:

Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0) Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)

Bloomtime:

Mid Spring Late Spring

Critter Resistant:

Deer Resistant Rabbit Resistant

Seasonal Interest:

Evergreen

Growth Rate:

Slow

Garden Style:

Asian Eclectic Woodland Shade

Other Features:

Border Plant Cut Flower Cut Foliage Drought Tolerant Easy To Grow Erosion Control Ground Cover

Origin:

Not Native to North America

Epimedium is a tough plant that will survive in nearly any shady location. Though it prefers rich, moist, woodland soils with a neutral to slightly acidic pH, it will adapt to a wide range of conditions. It will even grow under large, thirsty trees. This plant is a slow grower, so mulching around the plants will help to keep the weeds away. Trimming off all of the old foliage in late winter will make room for a fresh flush of leaves and may increase flower production.

Epimedium can be divided in early fall and is rarely troubled by pests or diseases.

Characteristics