Epimedium,  is a perennial plant. The term perennial is often used for plants with showy flowers, but excludes ornamental grasses mainly grown for their foliage and other plants. Perennials are considered to be ornamental plants that do not die after one season of growth.  The other names for Epimedium are Rowdy Lamb Herb, Barrenwort, Bishop’s Hat, Fairy Wings, Horny Goat Weed, or Yin Yang Huo . The Epimedium is a genus of about 60 or more species of herbaceous flowering plant. It belongs to the family of. Berberidaceae

The classical Japanese garden at the edge of the  water is the most ideal place for  Epimedium. The heart shaped leaves which are overlapping, of the epimedium soften the rocky landscapes  as well as  they make a very good ground cover or something that looks like a heart shaped carpet. The cluster of leaves  looks attractive all round the year. Spring is the period for the growth of new leaves. During this period the leaves are tinted with red or pink.  The beautiful veins can be seen in summers and during winters they turn to bronze and remain all throughout the season if the plant is kept in a protected place. At wiry stems the four petaled flowers  hang in clusters which are very interesting.

E. diphyllum is the nativeplant of Japan. It belongs to the dwarf species and grows only as high as 6-8 inches. It has leaves that are 2-3 inches long , and the color of its flower is white which ¾ to 1 inches is across. The blooming season of E.diphylum is during early spring. Another variety of Epimedium is the Bishop’ hat which belong to Korea as well as Japan both. It also has 2-3 inch long leaves and grows 9 to 12 inches in height. It has flowers in different vibrant colors which range from white and yellow to violet and red according to the variety. The blooming season is late spring and early summers.

In order to become sizeable clumps the Epimediums spread by means of creeping underground stems, but it is to be noted that the growth in this way is very slow. The best surrounding for Epimedium is moist and well drained rich soil which is supplemented with leaf mold and peat moss and it requires partial shade. They need to be planted in spring or during the fall and the spacing between them should be 8-10 inches apart. During the early spring in order to dispose off the old leaves which may interfere with the new growth of the plant it needs to be clipped .