I adore Epimediums. If there was a plant that I might collect it would be these so when I was asked by Timberpress if I would like to review Sally Gregson’s new book The Plant Lover’s Guide to Epimediums I didn’t hesitate to say yes.
I met Sally some years ago when I spent a day at her home learning about plant propagation so I knew she was a good plantswoman but I didn’t know she was a fan of epimediums like me. Well not like me as she has been researching and collecting them for a number of years now whilst I only really discovered them two years ago. The book opens with an introduction in which Sally shares her passion for this dainty plant and explains how she discovered the wealth of new varieties that have become available particularly since the Chinese varieties were introduced. In her view Epimediums are about to take the gardening world by storm. They are already popular with some designers like Dan Pearson who recognize that the plants are excellent for providing ground cover even in tough dry shade whilst at the same time providing interesting foliage with the added bonus of flowers in the early spring. And what flowers. If you look at one of the newer Chinese species such as Epimedium ‘Egret’ the flowers can be the size of a 10p and they hang from long arching stems just like a fine fishing rod.
Anyway enough of my obsession and back to the book. Essentially it follows a similar style to the other titles in this series. Firstly you have a section in which Sally describes different groups of epimediums so ones for good ground cover, ones for acid soil, with small flowers, large flowers, good autumn foliage. She talks about what plants they associate well with and how to create a woodland setting particularly to show off the plants off well.
Then the main bulk of the book is an alphabetical reference of 123 varieties which are easy(ish) to come by in the UK and USA. I say easyish as I was particularly struck by Epimedium acuminatum ‘Night Mistress’ and I have yet to source one. Each description is over one or two pages per variety and has a good size color photograph, the background of the plant ie: where it was found or who bred it, and a description of the plant and its preferred conditions. 123 varieties! And I thought I had a good range with 12!
The next section is on Growing and Propagating including improving the soil, all epimediums even the drought tolerant ones need improved soil, how to plant, how to maintain the plants, even how to grow them in pots and containers, which hadn’t occurred to me, propagating by seed and division. We also have the obligatory section on pests and diseases which seem to be mainly limited to vine weevils and rabbits.
Finally, in my favorite section Sally talks about the history of epimediums, how the Japanese and then the Chinese varieties were introduced into the West and the future of hybridising. We finish with an introduction to the various plants men and women around the world who are breeding new varieties and, for me, some new nurseries to seek out.
I can see this book becoming a bible for me. I have already made a list of the varieties I have in the garden, well the ones that I still have labels for, and I will be reading up on them to learn more. But what I really like about this book is that it is clear that Sally is passionate about epimediums. You can always tell when the writer knows their subject or when they have just done a bit of research before hitting the keyboard and Sally is definitely in the first category.
I suspect that the lovers of epimediums are currently few but if you like woodland or shade plants or are into foliage then you really should consider looking at this book as I am sure you will be stunned at the variety of epimediums available both in flower and foliage colour, shape and size.
