"Garden Vision is as much an attempt to preserve the genus in all its variations (we maintain a preservation collection of clones that are not particularly garden worthy, but are interesting in their variation) by getting the plants out to botanic gardens, other nurseries and interested individuals, as it is to make a living for ourselves. Darrell provides the opportunity in the catalog for persons interested in supporting the further study of Epimediums through his Expedition Fund. Here he offers plants for introduction at a premium price, before he has quantities enough for general introduction several years later. The donation for each plant is put into a fund that he uses for expeditions of his own, or others, focused on discovering, studying and preserving Epimediums."
Plants
According to Dan Hinkley in his The Explorer's Garden, thirty-six of the recognized forty-four species of Epimedium have been discovered and described since 1975. These new discoveries have fueled the current interest in these charming members of the barberry family (Berberidaceae). There have been, however, numerous species and hybrids from Europe and Asia Minor that have graced our gardens for many years.
These are not plants that scream out at you from miles away. Their beauty is subtle and deserves close inspection to observe the incredible, intricate flowers, leaf forms and colors which change a the season progresses. Bloom is generally in fairly early spring (at least in my climate) but the foliage remains clean and in good condition right through until heavy frosts and then some. Epimediums are like chocolate...very addictive. They are, to me, joyous plants of sound, continuing satisfaction through the season and the years.
While some species are very drought tolerant once they are established, contrary to a lot of what is written, these plants don't crave that bit of dry shade under your rooty tree. They do want shade, especially from hot, mid-day or late afternoon sun. You'll find that you have happier, more floriferous plants if you site them in organic enriched soil that drains well but remains moist in summer.
While many nurseries list some Epimediums, Darrell offers plants you are not going to find elsewhere - so many marvelous species and clones; it's been extraordinarily difficult to select only some of them to tell you about...I want them all!
Many of you may, like me, have started out with the tough-as-nails E. x rubrum.
