Plant Talk: Stunning & Statuesque Fairy Wings

Over the years, I've grown several Epimedium (commonly known as barrenwort or fairy wings), but none has captured my attention like Epimedium sp. 'The Giant'. And I'm here to tell you, the name absolutely fits. Tower of (Ethereal) Power: Epimedium sp. 'The Giant' rises (delicately) far above the rest! I actually purchased this in 2016 as a sort of challenge. When I read the Edelweiss Perennials catalog description for an Epimedium bloom that reached "5 feet tall," I thought, FIVE FEET TALL??? Seriously?? And then I thought, Let's see about that. I mean, even if it underwhelmed at half that height, it would still be impressive as heck, right? How could I NOT buy it? Over the years, I've planted 20 different kinds of Epimedium . I've killed half... some of them more than once. (Don't judge me; I'm stubborn AND I'm a real gardener.) The problem came from what I kept reading and hearing at. the time: that they were...