Great Plant Pick: Dark Beauty Epimedium

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, April 17, 2024

What: New foliage on epimedium grandiflorum Dark Beauty, also known as Fairy Wings or Bishop’s Hat, emerges a dramatic purple-chocolate color along with dainty flowers of dark magenta and white flushed magenta spurs. The leaves gradually become green as the season progresses on this charming, well-mannered perennial.

Where: Grows best in rich, well-drained soil in light to open shade; morning sun and afternoon shade is excellent. Dappled to deep shade will greatly reduce flowering.

Size: Reaches 1 f00t high by 1 foot wide in 10 years.

Care: Water regularly — at least once a week — or more frequently for lush, robust plants. This cultivar has deciduous foliage which dies back in autumn and can be cut back any time after that, but be sure to cut the leafy stems to the ground before new foliage and flowers begin to emerge in springtime.

— greatplantpicks.org