Epimediums will steal the show in shade

The #1 complaint of those who are relegated to gardening under the cover of trees, where the soil is dry and blooms are scarce, is that there’s not much more to choose from beyond hostas, heucheras, ferns or periwinkle. Although these plants will continue to be shady staples there is another plant that is finally getting some mainstream recognition. Epimediums are showing up in specialty catalogues, local garden centers and in people’s gardens.

Epimediums are among the better suggestions for planting in dry shade; they thrive in it, in fact. I have them planted in the toughest spots we have beneath a spreading 50-year-old lacebark elm. Many varieties colonize quickly, and the foliage holds up very well throughout the summer so they can be considered a reliable ground cover in addition to their early spring blooms (now) and glossy mottled green foliage (throughout the summer). In addition, many varieties will remain evergreen throughout the winter in zone 6.