Known by many as a simple ground cover for dry woodland shade, Epimediums are finally getting the appreciation that they deserve. This “perfect shade perennial” possesses a delicate beauty that belies its surprisingly tough, long-lasting nature.
Karen Perkins will illustrate the many and varied types now commercially available, including some of the exciting new evergreen species from China. Characteristics, growth habit, growing and propagation, pests and diseases, and combining Epimediums with other shade perennials in the garden will also be addressed.
Karen graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture and from the University of Delaware with a Master of Science in Public Garden Management. She has worked/interned at several botanic gardens including the Cornell Plantations, Longwood Gardens, the Arboretum at Flagstaff, Royal Botanic Gardens – Kew, England and Royal Botanic Gardens – Edinburgh, Scotland. She served in the Education Department of the Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, MA for 17 years. Karen is currently the owner of Garden Visions Epimediums, a Massachusetts-based mail order nursery offering over 170 species and varieties of epimediums along with other choice companion shade perennials.
Most Garden Vision Epimedium sales are through their catalog, which usually comes out in February-March, and is available on their website www.epimediums.com. They also sell at various plant sales throughout the Northeast.
Please join us to learn more about epimediums – an indispensable plant for your shade garden!