THE Elf Flower does not exist. You have to decide on a strain if you want to stock your garden with this ground-covering perennial. But which varieties have proven themselves and are recommended in the long term?

The flower color of the elf flower also varies with the variety

Deciduous and evergreen varieties

The deciduous varieties of elven flowers come mainly from East Asia. They will shed their foliage in colorful nuances in autumn. The evergreen varieties find their home in Europe and as far as the Near East.

The large-flowered elfin flower

The best-known species is probably the large-flowered elfin flower. She is winter green. It includes the following attractive varieties with their flower and leaf colors:

  • 'Rose Queen': dark pink flowers, green leaves, flowers reminiscent of orchids
  • 'Elf Queen': White flowers, brown-green leaves
  • 'Rubinkrone': violet-red flowers, brown-green leaves
  • 'Lilofee': Pink to purple flowers, dark green leaves
  • 'Orangequeen': Light orange flowers, green leaves

The Brimstone Elf Flower

The sulphur-colored elf flower is also known as Epimedium versicolor 'Sulphureum'. True to its name, it impresses with sulfur yellow flowers. Added advantages are its reddish spring shoots and bronze-colored winter foliage.

The Alpine Elf Flower

Another species is Epimedium alpinum (Alpine Pistachio). In contrast to the majority of the other species, this one is also suitable for sunnier locations and can cope well with drought at times. The flowers are light purple with white spots inside. The evergreen foliage is dark green in colour.

The Red Elf Flower

The Red Elf Flower is also very popular. Its foliage is deciduous to semi-evergreen, tinting yellow to orange in fall. The special thing about it: It has red leaf veins. The clump-forming growth reaches a height of 25 cm. Each panicle produces up to 30 white-pink to white-red individual flowers.

Other interesting species and varieties

Also interesting for hobby gardeners are:

  • Epimedium perralchicum: 'Frohnleiten' with golden-yellow flowers, an evergreen and red-edged foliage, tends to proliferate (much cutting necessary)
  • Epimedium pinnatum: 'Elegans' with yellow flowers; 'Warleyensis' with coppery golden flowers
  • Epimedium pubescens: 'Snowflakes' with white flowers
  • Epimedium cantabrigiense: Red-yellow flowers, up to 40 cm high

tips

Regardless of the species or variety, elfin flowers are considered mildly poisonous.

Category:

Vegetable garden