I am rarely a fan of variegated foliage but I would rather that than dreary bare patches under trees. Enter the Epimedium a low-growing ground cover plant that enjoys woodland shade and whose leaves, sometimes heart-shaped, come in pale green through to purple, some mottling their way through the seasons. You may have noticed their pretty, discreet flowers nodding their heads in woodlands from early spring.

1 Shade appreciation is one of the great pluses of Epimedium which is also know as Horny Goat Weed. They also tolerate some sun.

2 A rich, compost, preferably with plenty of leaf mould, gives Epimedium an excellent start.

3 Wind can be a problem for some Chinese varieties. These should be started in a sheltered part of the garden and gradually moved into a more open position.

4 Many of the species are evergreen. Some of those that are not evergreen manage to hold onto their leaves until new ones start to emerge in spring.

5 A relatively new variety, Epimedium wushanense 'Caramel', is one of the hardiest although many seem to be able to withstand low temperatures so long as they are in free draining compost. ‘Caramel’ can reach a metre high and its trident of leaves start by being mottled with purple and then turn green.

6 Some claim that Epimediums are good weed suppressers but the only one that may genuinely be effective is a Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit winner, E. x perralchicum. This grows so densely – and spreads to 60cm - and takes so much moisture from the soil that other plants find it difficult to compete. It has tall yellow flowers and its early bronze foliage turns glossy green as it matures. The great thing about this plant is that it retains most of its foliage throughout the year.

7 One of the most popular is E. x rubrum, another RHS AGM. This spreads to 30 cm with green-veined, bronze tinted foliage in spring and again in autumn as the leaves turn. The colouring contrasts with the emerald green veins. In spring, sprays of red flowers with yellow spurs emerge.

8 Vine weevil can be a problem. It can be overcome by applying a predator from sites such as www.just-green.com , www.Organiccatalog.com, www.greengardener.co.uk, www.nemasysinfo.com, www.thenaturalgardener.co.uk, and www.agralan.co.uk

9 Epimedium suppliers include Desirable Plants and Edrom Nurseries

10 You can see Epimediums at the National Plant Collection holder’s garden in Essex. Visits are by appointment only.

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• Chelsea Flower Show

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