Epimedium sutchuenense

Like so many Epimedium species, the fairly newly discovered Sichuan Fairy Wings is a native of China growing wild in the mountains of Shaanxi and northwest Hubei province. It makes a low growing, evergreen ground cover which will quickly colonise a lightly shaded spot in the garden. During late winter and early spring thin stems carry large lavender mauve flowers. The divided evergreen foliage is handsome for most of the year but is best cut to the ground during mid-winter as the flowers and new foliage make a particularly lovely combination. Epimediums are woodland plants and most need a moisture retentive soil in a light to medium shaded spot.