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© Gennadiy Okatov, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) · iNaturalist
Epimedium pinnatum ssp. colchicum
epimedium-pinnatum-ssp-colchicum
Caucasus (Georgia) and NE Turkey (Colchis region; moist forests)
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Overview
Epimedium pinnatum ssp. colchicum is a spreading, rhizomatous, evergreen perennial reaching 10–14 inches (25–35 cm) tall with a spread of 15–18 inches (38–45 cm). This subspecies from the Caucasus and northeastern Turkey is one of the parent species of the widely planted E. × perralchicum hybrids. The flowers are bright yellow, pendant, without spurs (or with very short, rudimentary spurs), 0.5 inch (1 cm) across, borne in loose sprays on wiry stems in April–May. The spurless or near-spurless flowers distinguish this from spurred epimediums. The compound leaves are pinnate with 5–9 ovate leaflets, 1.5–3 inches (4–8 cm) long, leathery, medium to dark green with spiny margins. New foliage emerges bronze-tinted. Evergreen. Growth rate is moderate, spreading by rhizomes. Hardy to zone 5.
Native Range
Epimedium pinnatum subsp. colchicum is native to the Caucasus region (Georgia) and northeastern Turkey, in moist forests, particularly in the historical region of Colchis.Suggested Uses
Planted as a groundcover in shade gardens at 12–15 inch (30–38 cm) spacing. The true species is less commonly planted than the hybrid E. × perralchicum 'Frohnleiten' but serves the same function as an evergreen shade groundcover. Functions under deciduous trees and on shaded slopes. The pinnate leaf structure with more leaflets creates a finer texture than the ternate hybrids. Not suitable for full sun or dry soils at establishment.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height10" - 1'2"
Width/Spread1'3" - 1'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Bright yellow, pendant flowers without spurs (or with very short rudimentary spurs) 0.5 inch (1 cm) across in loose sprays on wiry stems in April–May. Bloom duration is 3–4 weeks.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Bright yellow, spurless or near-spurless, pendantFoliage Description
Medium to dark green, leathery; pinnate with 5-9 ovate leaflets; bronze new growthGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant in partial to full shade in moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. Drought-tolerant once established. Hardy to zone 5. Cut back old foliage in late February before new growth. Spreads moderately by rhizomes. No serious pest or disease problems. Deer-resistant.Pruning
Cut back all old foliage to the ground in late February before new growth and flowers emerge. No other pruning needed.Pruning Schedule
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F
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A
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winter
Maintenance Level
lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons