PlantFiles: Yellow Fairy Wings, Persian Barrenwort
Epimedium x versicolor 'Sulphureum'

Hardy in northern zone 3.

Not zone 4 hardy - some companies were trying to sell it as a zone 4 plant in the late 1990s but two attempts to try it had failed.

A great little groundcover that does well in a shady, dry area. Attractive yellow flowers in April-May in my garden.

It took several years for this plant to become impressive, it's now 30" in diameter. I dig out sections from the edges that transplant and grow easily. The plant grows in an area with tree roots and other plants and is pest- and carefree.

Wow what a wholly unimpressive plant.... I know shade options are limited but honestly :) I guess I was expecting more from this plant i.e. something! the leaves are sort of pretty with "heart" shape and slight variegation but resemble not much more than a glorified weed. The flowers are almost nonsensical.... hardly flowers at all..... they hardly larger (each) than a a baby's breath (flower)..... Not impressive...... Looking at my garden my friend commented on many plants and said Oh what's that? Oh a weed I guess.... That's sort of what it looks like.... Yes it is "delicate" and airy but not showy enough to be worth anything.... perhaps if they grow well for you (mine grew well but I could care less!) you could plant as a ground cover.... then they may be more impressive but planted as one or in groups as "specimens" its truly poor!

A secret garen treasure that can survive years of neglect and still come back to a lush fairy land delicate with a little water.

This is by far the most vigorous of several Epimediums I grow.

Airy, hardy, small-leaved groundcover that has delicate light yellow blooms in early spring. New leaves emerge after blooming has started, and are very attractive and mottled with shades of burgundy; leaves fade to solid green by summer and persist into winter. Cut the old foliage off in late winter before the flower stalks emerge in spring. Drought and shade tolerant. Propagate by division in early autumn.