Buy Epimedium 'Black Sea'

Also Known As

Epimedium 'Black Sea'
Epimedium pinnatum ssp Colchicum
Epimedium pinnatum ssp. colchicum
Black Sea Barrenwort
Black Sea Bishop's Hat

Plant type

perennial, groundcover

size

H: 10"-15"
W: 24"

planting zones

6b-9b

Mature Division--Bare Root | $18

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Fewer than 14 at Sebright Gardens

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Epimedium 'Black Sea' plant details

Epimedium 'Black Sea' is a broadleaf evergreen perennial groundcover with black, bronze, green and purple foliage. In spring and winter orange, red and yellow flowers emerge. Grows well with mostly sun - mostly shade and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, clay, lean, rich, rocky and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Epimedium 'Black Sea'

Plant type: perennial groundcover
Plant family: berberidaceae
Foliage: evergreen black, bronze, green and purple
Mature size: 24 IN wide, 10 IN - 15 IN - tall
Flowers: orange, red and yellow blooms in spring and winter
Uses: container plant, cutting garden, easy-to-grow, heart-shaped leaves, long-lived, rock garden, spreading, winter interest, woodland garden, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Epimedium 'Black Sea'

USDA Zones: 6b - 9b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: deer
Soil needs: average, clay, lean, rich, rocky and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Zn 5. Yellow flowers on wiry stems. Purple foliage

By: Little Prince of Oregon

Winter foliage on this evergreen turns almost black. Principally grown for its foliage but the flowers are soft yellow with orange veining.

By: Gossler Farms

Black Sea' is a dramatic hybrid with foliage turning bold colours of chocolate, purple or black in winter. In spring red stems hold yellow and red flowers above the dark winter foliage. New foliage emerges flushed with red turning to blue-green. Very drought tolerant. Epimedium are among the easiest perennials to grow. They thrive in medium to heavy shade, and when established, are highly drought tolerant. They are deer resistant and are seldom bothered by voles or other critters. They can be used as effective groundcovers or shade garden accents. Photos: Great Plant Picks.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

The spring foliage is green but with the onset of colder temperatures becomes nearly black, and when it spreads, a sea of intriguing black! The flowers are held above the leaves in spring and are small nodding stars of yellow with orange veins - beautiful against the dark foliage. 10" tall evergreen. Minimum temperature: -20 °F

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

EPIMEDIUM PINNATUM SSP COLCHICUM~ Leaftlets turn dark black purple in autumn until new flush of bronzy green leaves in spring. Flowers are attractive reddish orange with yellow inner sepals. Plant in nearly full shade to nearly full sun. Height: 10”-12” Zones 5-9. Evergreen.

By: Sebright Gardens

Considered to be a hybrid between pinnatum colchicum and something else it is an excellent garden plant free blooming with peachy flowers held well above the foliage on wiry stems with deep purple foliage in autumn. ZONE 4

By: Arrowhead Alpines

Similar to ssp. colchicum, but with stunning dark purple winter foliage. The apricot flowers are relatively small, appearing very early in spring. Very drought tolerant.

By: Edelweiss Perennials

Blooms: spring, light yellow flowers with red stems, and outer bloom. Evergreen, brigh red and orange winter growth Zone 5-8, Black Sea, part shade, moist, humus rich

By: Keeping it Green Nursery

This was named for the near black foliage color which occurs with the onset of colder winter temperatures. Spring and summer foliage is typically green and about 10" tall. The flowers are held above the leaves in spring and are small stars of yellow with orange veins. Choice.