Species bishop's hat
pink-white flowers with yellow stamens, yellow-green stigmas and red-green leaves on green-brown petioles and stems

bishop's hat

Epimedium cantabrigiense

Bishop's hat (Epimedium cantabrigiense) is an amazing plant species that features heart-shaped foliage and delicate, long-spurred, white and yellow flowers that bloom in early spring. With its beautiful foliage, this deer-resistant perennial adds year-round interest to any outdoor space. It's semi-evergreen, frost-hardy, and perfect for growing in borders, rockeries, and wall-side gardens. Low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, Bishop's hat is an essential addition to any wildlife-friendly garden because it produces nectar that attracts pollinators. It's also shade-loving and can act as a ground cover for shadier spaces.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Division,Layering Propagation,Cutting,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 9

Flowers:

Yellow with pink tinge Flowers

Sun:

Part shade,full shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water your Bishop's Hat (Epimedium cantabrigiense) when the surface of the soil feels slightly dry to the touch. About once a week should be sufficient depending on the level of humidity in the air and type of soil. Water until it is coming out of the bottom of the pot and then leave it to drain. During the summer months outdoors, they may require slightly more frequent watering, however, overwatering can cause root rot. During colder months, you may need to water less as the plants are going into a semi-dormant state and not actively growing.

sunlight

Bishop's hat (Epimedium cantabrigiense) is an evergreen plant species that prefers partial shade and does best when it receives between 2–4 hours of direct sunlight a day. This type of plant does not like direct, blazing sun, and exposure to too much sun can scorch the foliage and potentially kill the plant. Instead, filtered light is ideal for encouraging optimum growth. Bishop's hat should be planted in an area that receives morning sun and is protected from harsh afternoon sun.

pruning

Bishop's hat (Epimedium cantabrigiense) should be pruned annually in late winter to early spring before any new growth appears. Cut back any shoots that are growing in an undesirable direction or shape, and remove or thin any overcrowded thickets of stems. Prune to about 6-8 inches above the ground, as this will stimulate more new and fresh growth. Pruning is also useful for rejuvenating an older, less productive specimen, and for ensuring the plant remains within bounds of a garden bed. As a groundcover, repeated and hard pruning is not recommended - aim for light and judicious pruning only.

Season

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

Epimedium cantabrigiense typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map