Species bishop's hat

bishop's hat

Epimedium fargesii

The Bishop's Hat (Epimedium fargesii) is an incredible plant known for its magnificent blooms resembling cones of fabric worn by the high clergy. It not only presents a stunning sight, but is also very easy to grow in shady gardens. It is primarily a herbaceous perennial, with clumps of evergreen, heart-shaped leaves, extending a wave of color in early spring. Its showy crimson-red flowers make a bold statement for a few weeks, then switch to a more subtle hue of cream. It is a low-maintenance beauty, requiring only a moderate amount of water and fertilizer, and is an ideal choice for creating an interesting display in a shady area.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Division,Layering Propagation,Cutting,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 9

Flowers:

Purple and white with yellow stamens Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Part shade,full shade

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Water Bishop’s Hat plants regularly during the growing season, which lasts from late spring to early fall. During this time, water the soil every 7-10 days, making sure to keep it moist but not soggy. If the soil feels dry 1-3 inches below the surface, then it is time to water. Reduce watering during the winter months, giving the plant only light amounts of H2O once every 3-4 weeks.

sunlight

Bishop's hat (Epimedium fargesii) is a fast-growing evergreen plant that does best in partial shade, with dappled sun in the morning and some protection from the hot afternoon sun. When grown in full sun, the foliage may become burned and slightly less floriferous. In the garden, partial shade is best for Bishop's hat, or 2-3 hours of direct sun in the morning is ideal. Different climates will also affect the amount of sun that a Bishop's hat needs; for example, in climates with intense sunlight and heat, such as the Southwestern United States, Bishop's hat requires more shade than in cooler climates.

pruning

Bishop's hat (Epimedium fargesii) should be pruned in the early spring before new growth appears. Pruning should be light, consisting mainly of removing any dead stems or foliage. Minor shaping of the plant is also done at this time. It is important not to prune the plant too harshly as this will reduce flowering. This species may also benefit from an occasional hard pruning, which should be done in late winter while the plant is dormant.

Season

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

Epimedium fargesii typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map