The lavender-pink and white flowers are not large, but there are scads and scads of them blooming on 12 to 18-inch stems above handsome foliage so that a striking effect is produced. Brought to the U.S. from an English nursery by Dan Hinckley of Heronswood, who speculated that its parents were E. davidii and E. acuminatum.

Few Epimediums are variegated, but this little guy shows off the irregularly white-splashed leaves in spring along with dainty white flowers. The variegation fades with the approach of summer.

The flowers of this species resemble miniature shuttlecocks with extravagantly extruding stamens. The overall effect is white tinged with violet. The exuberant narrow leaflets are quite handsome and will hold your interest after flowers have faded. Plants in bloom will be about 12-18 inches high.

A short Epimedium to about 6 inches high with polished leaves, this species grows at high elevations in western China. The rose or mauve-purple flowers add a rich accent to the April flower border. Z. 4-8

Bright golden yellow flowers (sometimes with red centers) are held above the handsome, red-tinged foliage. An excellent groundcover selected by the late German plantswoman Helene von Stein. (E. perralderianum x E. pinnatum ssp. colchicum).

Apparently a naturally occurring hybrid, this Epimedium displays small rich lavender flowers on delicate stalks held above the petite leaflets. Plants grow to about 8 inches and go dormant early. (E. sempervirens x E. [x setosum]).

Early spring foliage is tinged with copper, and the early April flowers are salmon to rosy yellow. This is among the earliest Epimediums to bloom, and the flowers are borne on stalks roughly a foot high; the clump is tight and compact.

Lively rosy pink flowers with white edges grace this small charmer.

The flowers of 'Shien' are delicate but oh so sumptuous in bloom! The medium-purple petals will enchant you. Grows to about a foot high.