Epimedium help

I got an epimedium mail order bare root. I potted him up and he did just great...almost immediate leaf growth and soon after blooms! I was so proud of myself. HOWEVER, now his leaves are turning brown with little new growth. I keep him watered on a regular basis...not dry...not wet. Is it just too hot (Florida) for him? I am thinking of bring him inside where he could get morning light and be in cooler conditions. I don't want to lose him!

It really depends on what Epimedium you have. Not all are evergreen and they often get brown leaves after flowering, he's just having a nap. We call the happy mediums because they generally grow whatever you do to them but he will appreciate much cooler conditions than Florida offers. They certainly prefer shade from hot sun even here in cloud land.

http://www.perennialnursery.com/plantinfo/epimedium.html

I have 'Youngianum roseum.' So you think I should bring it inside? And if it is the type to lose its leaves after blooming, what should I do? And when will it come out again? I'm just full of wuestions, aren't I? Thanks in advance!

Dale, I grow one with white flowers, and I know it need to be in the shade; does well in dense shade of a maple for me! I'm guessing it is hot and sunny there in FL, do you have a cool, shady spot? John

I have shady spots but right now there is no cool spot...do you think I should bring it inside?

Dale

E x youngianum is a deciduous Japanese hybrid Epimedium. The Japanese hybrids and species don't tolerate soils which get very dry (they need a moist but well drained soil) or alkaline soils and they need partial shade.

Almost all Epis need partial shade and moist but well drained soils (E x versicolor is the exception to these rules) and some will tolerate some alkalinity. Frost will damage young leaves even on the evergreens and they hate cold and/or drying winds. In conclusion they need a sheltered spot in a fairly cool, moist, neutral to acid soil in a shady spot.

To get the best from Eps, remove the old leaves as the new ones are appearing, you will see the flowers much better. Once that is done a good mulch will help a lot too.

You can divide them every 3 years or so but do this in Autumn so they settle well before they flower.

I really can't tell you whether to bring them in or not because I have no concept of your climate. If you feel that the above guidelines fit better with bringing them indoors then do so, if not then leave them outside.

I'm lucky I grow a couple of Eps (one Japanese with only a number as yet) and they do well outside for me but then we don't get anywhere near the heat you do during your summer

Thank you so much Baa! I am new with the Epis. Do they continually go through the cycles of leaves, blooms, leaves blooms or only certain times? I have moved mine to a nice shady spot and although he wasn't in direct sun before, he looks much happier. It is not cool, but more moist from ferns and caladiums.

My pleasure! Glad to hear he is becoming a happy medium at last :)

Generally they bloom just in spring and for a very short time at that, they tend to keep their leaves until autumn but I have seen leaf drop or die soon after flowering. Their real worth is the ground cover aspect and leaves which change tend to colour in autumn.