Epimedium x cantabrigiense

Position: Partial to full shade

Flowering period: Late spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height (leaves): 45cm

Eventual Spread: 60cm

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Berberidaceae

Epimedium x cantabrigiense, commonly known as Bishop’s Mitre or Bishop’s Hat, is an evergreen/ semi evergreen rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial with a spreading habit. Epimedium x cantabrigiense is a hybrid cross of garden origin between Epimedium alpinum and Epimedium pubigerum. Its glossy mid green leaves emerge copper tinted in spring. Its flowers are tinged with yellow and pink. Epimedium x cantabrigiense may be used as an effective ground cover plant in dry, shady situations. Untidy leaves can be removed in early spring. Once established this perennial is drought tolerant.

Epimedium x cantabrigiense (05/05/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Epimedium x cantabrigiense Flower (05/05/12, Kew Gardens, London)

Landscape Architecture

Berberis kawakamii

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Early spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 2m

Eventual Spread: 2m

Hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

Family: Berberidaceae

Berberis kawakamii, commonly known as Barberry, is an evergreen shrub with a lax, bushy habit. Its dark green leaves are sharply toothed. Its stems contain sharp spines. Berberis kawakamii is native to the Taiwan and in its native habit it grows in thickets and forest margins. Its yellow flowers are attractive to pollinating insects and its fruit are attractive to birds and some mammals. This shrub provides good sheltering habitat for birds. Berberis kawakamii may be used as an effective impenetrable informal hedge. Necessary pruning should be carried out after flowering.

Berberis kawakamii (11/03/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Berberis kawakamii flower (11/03/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Landscape Architecture

Berberis pruinosa

Berberis pruinosa (07/12/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full Sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Late spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 2m

Eventual Spread: 2m

Hardiness: 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Berberidaceae

Berberis pruinosa is an evergreen shrub with a bushy habit. Its mid green glossy leaves are elliptic to ovate with entire mildly spiny margins, up to 6cm long and 2.5cm across. Its branches contain spines along their length. Its yellow flowers are up to 8mm across and are produced in clusters along the length of its branches. Its purple fruit have a white waxy bloom, are ellipsoid berries and up to 7mm long.

Berberis pruinosa Flower (07/12/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Berberis pruinosa, commonly known as Barberry, is native to south China. In its native habit it grows in thickets and forest margins

The etymological root of the binomial name for Berberis is derived from the Arabic  برباريس, the Arabic name for Berberis. Pruinosa is derived from the Latin pruinosus meaning ‘frosty’, in reference to its fruit.

When available the landscape architect may find Berberis pruinosa useful as an attractive evergreen spring flowering shrub whith interesting winter beries. It may be used as an effective impenetrable informal hedge.

Berberis pruinosa Fruit (07/12/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Berberis pruinosa flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. The fruit are attractive to birds and some mammals. This shrub also provides good sheltering habitat for birds.

Berberis pruinosa prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Berberis pruinosa requires little maintenance. Necessary pruning should be carried out after flowering.

Landscape Architecture