Epimedium pubescens - Barrenwort

Small. evergreen, understorey shrubs or deciduous perennials, which owe their name to the lightness of their flowers. These very beautiful shade plants can be cultivated in borders or in a large shady rockery, preferably along a path to fully enjoy their great beauty. They can all withstand temperatures as low as  -13°C (8.6°F) without any protection. The highly cold-resistant western species can tolerate difficult conditions, such as living in dense shade under trees, in very dry soil or in moist clay soil.  The Asian species prefer a soil that remains damp to moist in summer, well-drained, rich in humus, without limestone, and can also tolerate dense shade. They all grow relatively slowly, but can live for many years in one place without any special care.

Another species with remarkable evergreen foliage. Leaflets are lance-shaped, 17cm (7in) long and 6.5cm (3in) wide, with highly undulate, spiny edges, velvety on the underside, initially very shiny olive green, speckled with pale yellow, lime green.  They are irregularly marked with scarlet, gradually becoming dark green. The tall, stiff spikes bear a multitude of flowers composed of a star with 4 white lance-shaped sepals and another star of petals with short, stout spurs, bronze orange in colour. This species has very early flowering.