E. diphyllum 'Large Leaf Form' has the largest plant habit with leaflets reaching up to four inches ( 10.16 cm) long by almost half as wide.
The flowers are also a bit larger than most, on stems ten to twelve inches tall (25.4 - 30.48 cm).
Epimedium epsteinii
Darrell notes that he is proud to have been involved in the naming of this new species, discovered in 1994. Named for the outstanding plantsman, Harold Epstein, who for half a century grew Epimediums to perfection in his garden "LaRocaille".
The flowers of this species have the widest sepals in the genus - nearly one half inch wide (12.7 mm) and slightly longer. There are usually ten to thirty flowers per stem.
Plants reach from six to ten inches tall (15.24 - 25.4 cm) with medium-sized, glossy green leaflets.
They will spread up to six to eight inches (15.24 - 20.32 cm) a year, making them a good low, dense groundcover capable of suppressing most weeds.
Darrell notes they may require some winter mulch protection in USDA zone 5 gardens.
Epimedium grandiflorum
E. grandiflorum is native throughout Japan. Subspecies koreanum is the sole representative in northern Japan and also found in North and South Korea and northeast China. A deciduous species, it is the most variable of all Epimedium. Flowers are found in a wide range of colors and are medium to large (for Epimedium) in size. Plants produce nine to twenty-seven small to medium leaflets per leaf. Darrell says that most forms produce a second flush of taller leaves after bloom.
E. grandiflorum v. violaceum 'Bronze Maiden' produces small leaflets of a marvelous, intense, copper-color in spring that hold the color for about a month before becoming green.
The copper is a nice foil for the medium-size lavender flowers.
'Bronze Maiden' gets about eight inches tall (20.32 cm) in bloom, with a second flush of leaves reaching a foot in height (30.48 cm).
E. grandiflorum 'Dark Beauty' appeared in Harold Epstein's garden, probably a cross between 'Rose Queen' and 'Silver Queen'.
New leaves are chocolate- purple with small leaflets reaching eight inches (20.32 cm) in bloom and a second flush of growth to twelve inches (30.48 cm).
