Species bishop's hat
white flowers with yellow stamens on black petioles and stems

bishop's hat

Epimedium brevicornu

The bishop's hat (Epimedium brevicornu) is an amazing plant species that stands out for its unique form and beautiful array of colors! The small perennial has a low-growing foliage of heart-shaped, dark green leaves. In springtime, its delicate red and white flowers rise up on short stems, resembling the hats of old-fashioned bishops. While its dainty flowers are really special, the colorful foliage of the plant's evergreen leaves make it even more impressive. Plus, it tolerates partial shade and is easy to care for, making it a great choice for gardens of all sizes.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Layering Propagation,Cutting,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 8

Flowers:

Purple and white Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part sun/part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

bronze,green,yellow,purple

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Bishop's Hat (Epimedium brevicornu) should be kept lightly moist. Water the plant every 7-10 days during the growing season (spring and summer) and reduce watering frequency when plants are not actively growing (fall and winter). To water, give the plant a good soak until water runs through the drainage holes of the pot. Avoid wetting the foliage when watering. Overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and root rot.

sunlight

It is best to plant Bishop's Hat in an area that gets at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight each day. It can tolerate more sun exposure than shade, but too much direct sun can cause the leaves to scorch or wilt. When growing Bishop's Hat, it's important to avoid overly shady areas that don't receive enough sun, as this can prevent flowers from blooming.

pruning

Bishop's hat (Epimedium brevicornu) should be pruned twice a year, once in early Spring and again in late Fall. In the Spring use sharp pruning shears to cut away any broken or dead wood that is visible. Cut any branches or stems that are more than 2 years old and cut back any shoots that are too large or straggling. In the late Fall, cut back all the shoots that have grown excessively long and also any dead wood that has become apparent. When pruning, only remove approximately 20-25% of the plant's total shoots. This will help encourage new growth and ensure the bishop's hat remains healthy and vigorous.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Epimedium brevicornu typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map