Fairy Wings Epimedium 'Enchantress'
ABOUT
The Epimedium 'Enchantress', commonly known as the Enchantress Fairy Wings, has an alluring and delicate appearance that can add a touch of mystique to any garden. Its foliage is primarily a lush and attractive shade of green, providing a perfect backdrop for its distinctive flowers. As the plant transitions from spring to fall, the leaves may take on a bronzed or reddish tint, adding seasonal interest and dynamic color changes throughout the year. The flowers of the Enchantress Fairy Wings are particularly eye-catching, with a delicate and intricate structure. Typically blooming in the spring, these flowers feature beautiful spurs and sepals. The inner sepals are generally larger and showcase a lighter, almost pastel shade, while the elegant, long spurs offer a striking contrast with their deeper hues. The blooms form loose clusters, creating a whimsical and airy effect as if the flowers are floating above the foliage. The plant's leaves are heart-shaped, with a soft, sometimes mottled texture that can appear leathery. In some conditions, the foliage may exhibit a marbled pattern with varying shades of green, contributing further to its enchanting look. Overall, the Enchantress Fairy Wings presents a graceful and charming display, with its combination of delicate blooms and attractive foliage making it a favorite for gardens that seek to evoke a fairytale-like atmosphere.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Berberidaceae
Synonyms
Fairy Wings, Bishop's Hat, Horny Goat Weed, Barrenwort, Yin Yang Huo
Common names
Epimedium 'Enchantress'
ToxicityTo humans
Epimedium, commonly known as barrenwort, is not known to be toxic to humans. Ingesting parts of the plant typically does not result in poisoning or harmful symptoms.
To pets
Barrenwort is also not considered toxic to pets. It should not cause any significant symptoms of poisoning if pets ingest parts of the plant. However, as with any non-food plant, ingestion in large quantities might cause mild stomach upset.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Semi-deciduous
Color of leaves
Mixed
Flower color
Pink
Height
1 foot (30 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts pollinators: Epimedium 'Enchantress', commonly known as Fairy Wings, attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, which are essential for pollination.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, Fairy Wings is remarkably drought-resistant, making it suitable for dry and challenging conditions.
- Groundcover: With its spreading habit, Fairy Wings acts as an effective groundcover, reducing weed growth and soil erosion.
- Shade tolerance: This plant thrives in partial to full shade, making it ideal for woodland gardens or darker areas of the landscape.
- Low maintenance: Fairy Wings requires minimal upkeep beyond the occasional removal of dead leaves, making it a convenient choice for gardeners of all levels.
- Seasonal interest: It features delicate flowers in spring and attractive foliage that often changes color throughout the year, adding visual interest to the garden across the seasons.
- Deer and rabbit resistance: Fairy Wings is not a preferred choice for deer and rabbits, thus it's less likely to be damaged by these garden pests.
- Compact size: Its moderate growth habit makes it suitable for smaller gardens or for use in borders and container plantings.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Epimedium 'Enchantress', commonly known as 'Fairy Wings', can be used as a ground cover in shady areas where few other plants thrive, providing a dense mat that suppresses weeds.
- The leaves of Fairy Wings can be used in floral arrangements as filler foliage to provide a delicate and airy texture contrast to other flowers.
- This plant can act as a living mulch, its dense foliage helping to maintain soil moisture and temperature stabilization.
- Fairy Wings can be planted on slopes or banks to help prevent soil erosion, thanks to its spreading habit and root system.
- The plant offers seasonal interest in winter gardens with evergreen varieties contributing color and form during the dormant months.
- When planted en masse, Fairy Wings can be used to create a whimsical fairy garden theme in landscaping projects.
- The seed pods of Epimedium can be used for dried floral crafts or as an addition to potpourri displays.
- Their ability to thrive under trees makes Fairy Wings an excellent choice for creating a woodland garden setting.
- Garden paths can be lined or edged with Fairy Wings to provide a soft, feathery border that contrasts well with harder landscaping materials like stone or wood.
- Fairy Wings can be incorporated into a sensory garden, as their delicate leaves provide interesting textures to touch and explore.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Epimedium, commonly known as Horny Goat Weed, is not typically used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityHorny Goat Weed is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Vitality: Epimedium, commonly known as Horny Goat Weed, is believed to bolster energy and increase vitality, reflecting its historic use in traditional medicine for enhancing physical stamina.
- Sensual Passion: Given the common name Horny Goat Weed, the Epimedium plant symbolizes sensuality and sexual desire, echoing the aphrodisiac qualities attributed to it.
- Overcoming Challenges: As a hardy perennial that thrives in difficult conditions, Epimedium can represent resilience and the ability to overcome obstacles in one's life.
- Romantic Adventure: Its association with mythology and its provocative common name suggest a theme of romantic or erotic adventure and the pursuit of pleasure.
- Restoration: Epimedium is also used in herbal remedies to restore balance and wellness, symbolizing healing and the rejuvenation of the spirit or body.
WaterFor the Epimedium 'Enchantress', commonly known as barrenwort, it is ideal to keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Watering should be done when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which generally means about once a week. In periods of drought or extreme heat, you may need to water more frequently. Provide approximately one gallon of water per plant for each watering session, ensuring that the water reaches deep into the root zone. During the winter months when the plant is dormant, reduce watering but do not allow the soil to completely dry out.
LightBarrenwort thrives best in partial shade to full shade conditions. It should be planted in a spot that receives filtered sunlight or shade for most of the day, as too much direct sun can scorch the delicate leaves. An ideal location would be under the canopy of a deciduous tree, providing dappled sunlight and protection from the intense midday sun.
TemperatureBarrenwort prefers a temperate climate and can typically tolerate temperatures ranging from 5 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the ideal temperature for robust growth lies between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive light frosts but needs protection from extreme cold and hot temperatures.
PruningPruning barrenwort isn’t strictly necessary but can be beneficial for aesthetic reasons and to promote healthy growth. After flowering, trim back any spent blooms to encourage a second flush of flowers. In late winter or early spring, cut back the entire plant to ground level to allow new leaves to emerge unobstructed. This should be done annually before the new growth starts.
CleaningAs needed
SoilBishop's Hat, or Epimedium 'Enchantress', thrives in well-draining, humus-rich soil with a pH around 5.5 to 7.5. A mixture of garden loam, compost, and coarse sand or perlite encourages healthy growth. Mulching with organic material can benefit soil moisture and texture.
RepottingBishop's Hat does not need frequent repotting. Repot every 3 to 5 years or when visibly root-bound to maintain vigor and health. Spring is the best time for repotting to allow the plant to establish in the growing season.
Humidity & MistingBishop's Hat prefers moderate humidity levels but is quite adaptable. Aim for a humidity level of 40-60% for optimal growth. Avoiding extremely dry air will help maintain healthy foliage.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Use humus soil, bright indirect light, and moderate water for Bishop's Hat.
Outdoor
Plant Bishop's Hat in shade to partial sun and moist soil.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleEpimedium 'Enchantress', also known as Fairy Wings, begins its life cycle when seeds are sown in well-draining soil, typically during spring or summer. Germination is usually slow and can take up to a year, during which delicate seedlings develop their initial root systems and foliage. After this juvenile phase, the plant enters its vegetative stage, producing distinctive heart-shaped leaves and growing into a dense, low clump that can be propagated by division. When mature, typically in mid to late spring, Epimedium 'Enchantress' blossoms, showcasing small, spurred flowers that range in color from soft pink to lilac. Following pollination, the flowers will develop into dry, winged fruit capsules containing seeds that can disperse to produce new plants. Eventually, in fall or with the onset of colder weather, the plant's foliage may die back, becoming dormant over winter, only to re-emerge and repeat the cycle in the spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
Propogation: The most popular method of propagation for the Epimedium 'Enchantress', commonly known as Enchantress Fairy Wings, is division. This is ideally done in the fall after the foliage has died back or in early spring before new growth begins. During this time, the gardener should gently lift the clump of the plant from the ground with a shovel, taking care not to damage the root system. Once the clump is out, it should be carefully broken apart into smaller sections, making sure that each section has at least one growth point. These divided sections can then be replanted into a well-prepared soil, ensuring that they're spaced adequately to accommodate future growth. This method allows the plant to recover and establish itself during the cooler and wetter parts of the year, leading to a robust start in the following growing season.
