Epimedium × youngianum ‘Niveum’
A graceful, low-growing perennial perfect for shady spots and woodland gardens
Overview
Epimedium × youngianum ‘Niveum’ is a delicate and refined perennial that thrives in shade, making it ideal for underplanting beneath trees or brightening the darker corners of the garden. Commonly known as Barrenwort or Bishop’s Hat, this variety is cherished for its elegant white spring flowers and attractive, heart-shaped foliage. Easy to grow and low maintenance, it’s a perfect choice for everyday gardeners looking to add year-round interest to shady areas.
Key Features
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Botanical name: Epimedium × youngianum ‘Niveum’
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Common name: Barrenwort or Bishop’s Hat
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Plant type: Herbaceous perennial (semi-evergreen in mild climates)
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Height: 30cm (1ft)
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Spread: 30cm (1ft)
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Flowering Time: Spring (April to May)
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Position: Prefers partial to full shade
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Soil: Moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter; tolerates dry shade once established
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Hardiness: Hardy in UK zones –10°C to –15°C (H5)
Flowers and Foliage
‘Niveum’ produces sprays of dainty, star-like white flowers with long spurred petals, held above slender wiry stems in spring. These charming blooms contrast beautifully with the fresh new foliage, which emerges with a bronze or coppery tint before maturing to soft green. The heart-shaped leaves are semi-evergreen, providing a long season of interest and forming a tidy, ground-covering clump that suppresses weeds and softens edges.
Garden Uses
This compact perennial is perfect for shady borders, woodland gardens, or under deciduous shrubs and trees. It pairs beautifully with ferns, hostas, hellebores, and other shade-loving perennials. It’s also ideal for planting on the shady side of a path or patio where its delicate features can be appreciated up close. ‘Niveum’ is an excellent ground cover plant, spreading gently without becoming invasive.
Wildlife Benefits
While not a major nectar source, the early spring flowers of Epimedium ‘Niveum’ can provide an important food source for early pollinators. Its dense foliage also offers shelter for insects and ground-dwelling wildlife, making it a useful addition to a wildlife-friendly garden.
Care and Maintenance
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Watering: Water during dry spells in the first year; established plants tolerate some dryness
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Potted: Can grown in pots can be planted at any time of the year providing the ground is not frozen or waterlogged.
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Pruning: Cut back old foliage in late winter or early spring for the best display of new foliage and flowers
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Feeding: Mulch annually with well-rotted compost or leaf mould to enrich the soil
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Dividing: Divide clumps in spring or autumn every few years to rejuvenate and propagate
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Pests and Diseases: Generally pest-free and trouble-free
Summary
Epimedium × youngianum ‘Niveum’ is a charming and dependable perennial that brings subtle beauty and texture to shaded parts of the garden. With its delicate white spring flowers, attractive foliage, and ease of care, it’s a valuable plant for gardeners looking to enhance woodland settings, shady borders, or underplanted areas with minimal effort and year-round interest.
Buying Perennials from Jacksons Nurseries
At Jacksons Nurseries we lightly trim back our perennials after flowering and trim them back at the end of the season to ensure that the plants remain neat and tidy whilst in the pot. The more tender the plant the less we cut back to help protect exposed stems from winter frost. Depending on the plant variety we will then prune back further in spring once the risk of the more severe frosts is over.
As a result, depending on the time of year you buy perennials, they may not look like images showing their ‘prime time’ in flower and looking at their best.
From late autumn onwards and dependent on variety, there may be very little visible above the soil except for a few cut back dormant leaves or stems. It is perfectly normal for dormant plants to look like this from autumn onwards, they will however burst back into life in spring.
Availability: Stock availability figures are provided as a guide only. There is a delay between orders being placed and the plants being gathered by our pulling team. During this time it may be possible for a member of the public to purchase these plants from our Garden Centre, while this is rare it is a possibility and we will notify you of any problems as soon as possible. This figure may also include plants that have not yet be flagged as unsaleable.
Pre-order: Pre-order times are given as a guide only and may vary dependent on the growing season. Orders containing Pre-ordered products will be shipped as a single order when all items become available. Large orders may be part shipped, please contact us on 01782 502741 or email sales@jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
Perennials are described and classified differently by different gardeners but all would agree that they are plants that come into flower every year from early spring to late summer, the exact time dependent on variety and most die back to ground level in autumn and winter.
As for all plants, soil preparation is time well spent. Dig over the area to be planted ensuring that the ground is free draining. If not then you may wish to either consider planting in a different spot or raising the level of the planting area by adding additional topsoil, well rotted garden compost and/or well rotted manure. Add ‘Fish, Blood and Bone’ fertiliser or a high potash fertiliser to encourage good root growth and development.
It’s always a good idea to plant a few of the same plant together, we recommend planting in 3’s or 5’s to provide a bold effect but allowing them plenty of room to develop.
Always check eventual plant heights when planning borders to ensure that the taller plants are at the back (or at the centre of an island bed) followed by the medium and then smaller low growing plants.
Remember to deadhead perennials after flowering, trim back lightly in autumn as required to tidy the border and if necessary trim again in spring once the risk of heavy frost has passed.
If perennials get too big, start to flower less and less or if it seems to be dying off from the centre, consider dividing the plant but always check that the particular variety is happy to be divided and that you divide at the right time of year for the plant.
By using this simple guide and a little time, perennials can make an absolutely spectacular difference to your garden.
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In stock
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£9.99 |