A UK National Collection

Epimediums

Epimedium grandiflorum 'Lilafee'

 'Lilafee' is a well established variety of E. grandiflorum, which was bred in Germany. We have this one from five different sources, and we are trying to ascertain which of them seem to be the true ‘Lilafee’, as they seem to vary somewhat.  Also we have one or two other varieties which are very similar. Eventually we may have a clearer picture of which is which. I believe the flowers should be mauve pink with the spurs fading to white. It is a reliable variety to grow in the garden.

General information on Epimedium grandiflorum

Distribution – Japan (Kyushu, Shikoku, Honshu and Hokiado). Northern Korea and southern Manchuria.

Description – A medium sized fairly deciduous species with widespread distribution through Japan etc. growing in deciduous woodland. It was introduced to Great Britain in the 1830s. With its wide geographical range through the various Japanese islands etc., a good deal of variation has occurred. Flower colour of the plants found in the wild varies widely: yellow, white, pink, lilac and reddish to purple. Add to this the large number of plants attributed to E grandiflorum that have arisen in cultivation and there may be hundreds of cultivars already named.