Epimedium 'Niveum'

Epimedium 'Niveum': Snowy Sprays to Brighten Dim Corners

Small, pure white flowers nod politely over red-streaked new leaves, like the quietest guest at dinner who turns out to be the most interesting. 'Niveum' is low, tidy and in no rush. GOOD THINGS SPREAD SLOWLY.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Epimedium × youngianum 'Niveum'
• Common Name: Barrenwort, Bishop's Hat
• Height: 20–30 cm (8–12 in)
• Spread: 30–45 cm (12–18 in)
• Flowers: Small, pure white, nodding, in loose sprays
• Bloom Time: Spring (April to May)
• Foliage: Deciduous to semi-evergreen, heart-shaped leaves, streaked red in spring, green in summer and bronze-red in fall
• Features: Rabbit resistant, tolerates dry shade once established, low and tidy, slow-spreading groundcover

Where to Plant: Use it at the front of a shade border, along a woodland path, or as a slow groundcover under trees. White flowers glow in low light, so it suits darker corners and gardens you see at dusk.

Companion Plants: Use white 'Niveum' at the front of a moist, shady bed with white plumes and blue grass. Astilbe 'Cappuccino' adds white plumes over dark leaves at 60 to 75 cm in June and July. Heuchera 'Autumn Bride' brings big green leaves and white flowers at 45 to 50 cm from August to October. Hosta 'Wide Brim' adds blue-green leaves edged in cream at 45 cm. Carex 'Blue Zinger' fills in with arching steel-blue blades at 30 to 45 cm.

Plant Care: Plant in part shade to full shade in humus-rich, well-drained soil. Mix in compost at planting and water well through the first year. Once it's established, it handles summer dry spells in shade. It's slow to get going and may take a couple of seasons to fill out. Don't give up on it. Cut old foliage back in late winter or very early spring so the new flowers aren't hidden. Divide in late summer or early fall if you want to spread it around.

History: Epimedium × youngianum is a mostly garden-made hybrid of two Japanese species, Epimedium grandiflorum and Epimedium diphyllum, and 'Niveum', from the Latin for snowy, is an old white form common in North American gardens. Epimedium expert Darrell Probst has described clumps in a New York garden that thrived for about 40 years without ever being divided.

Final Thoughts: Tuck it at the front of a shady bed where you can admire the details. THE INTROVERT THE WHOLE GARDEN RESPECTS.