Product Description
Epimedium 'Hugs and Kisses' PPAF CPBRAF - Proven Winners® (30)ct Flat
Epimedium 'Hugs and Kisses' is a captivating new Barrenwort cultivar that truly lives up to its affectionate name, showering the shade garden with delicate, bicolored pink blooms. This selection is distinguished by its unique floral coloration: light pink backs gracefully complement deep mauve centers, making it one of the reddest Epimedium selections to date. Adding further interest, the spring foliage is adorned with attractive burgundy flecking, and the leaves themselves feature subtly wavy margins, enhancing their textural appeal. From our specialized breeding program, 'Hugs and Kisses' was selected for its large flowers and exceptionally long, well-branched scapes, ensuring a prolonged and abundant flowering period for many weeks in spring. Like other Epimediums, it is remarkably durable, critter-resistant, semi-evergreen, and one of the few plants capable of thriving in challenging dry shade conditions.
'Hugs and Kisses' forms a delicate yet durable clump of foliage, reaching a height of 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) with a spread of 18-24 inches (45-60 cm). The leaves are typically medium green, displaying noticeable burgundy flecking in spring, and have slightly wavy margins, adding textural interest. The plant is semi-evergreen, retaining much of its foliage through winter in milder climates. The most striking feature is its bicolored flowers, borne on long, well-branched scapes that hold the blooms proudly above the foliage. Each flower features light pink backs and deep mauve centers, creating a rich, multi-toned effect. The flowers are larger than those of many traditional Epimedium varieties.
- Foliage: Medium green with burgundy flecking in spring; slightly wavy margins. Semi-evergreen.
- Flowers: Bicolored pink with light pink backs and deep mauve centers. One of the reddest selections. Large flowers on long, well-branched scapes.
- Bloom Time: Mid-Spring to Late Spring, for an extended period.
- Height: 8.0-12.0 Inches (20-30 cm)
- Spread: 18.0-24.0 Inches (45-60 cm)
- Growth Rate: Slow.
- Critter Resistant: Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant.
- Seasonal Interest: Evergreen foliage.
- Other Features: Drought tolerant once established, easy to grow, excellent ground cover, attractive foliage, suitable for mass planting or as a specimen.
- Hardiness Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8
- Flower Color: Pink shades (bicolored light pink/mauve)
- Foliage Color: Green shades (with burgundy flecking)
- Sunlight: Part Shade (4-6 hours Direct Sun) to Full Shade (< 4 hours Direct Sun)
- Water Requirements: Low Water Needs, Average Water Needs
- Soil Quality: Average Soil Quality, Fertile Soil Quality
- Soil Chemistry: Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0), Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)
- PPAF: Plant Patent Applied For
- CPBRAF: Canadian Plant Breeders' Rights Applied For
While 'Hugs and Kisses' is a cultivated variety, the genus Epimedium, commonly known as Barrenwort or Bishop's Hat, is primarily native to woodlands and mountainous regions of East Asia (especially China, Korea, and Japan) and parts of Europe. They naturally occur in shaded, often rocky or sloped areas, which contributes to their remarkable adaptability to dry shade conditions.
Landscaping Design Tips
Epimedium 'Hugs and Kisses' is an exquisite and highly versatile plant for the shade garden, offering delicate beauty and exceptional resilience, especially for challenging conditions.
- Dry Shade Essential: This plant is one of the premier choices for successfully establishing in dry shade, making it invaluable for planting under large, thirsty trees where other plants typically struggle.
- Woodland Garden Elegance: Its naturalistic form and preference for shade make it a perfect fit for woodland gardens, where it can naturalize and create a soft, ethereal carpet beneath trees and shrubs.
- Effective Ground Cover: Plant 'Hugs and Kisses' in masses or drifts to create a beautiful, durable, and critter-resistant ground cover. Its semi-evergreen nature provides continuous interest, particularly useful on slopes or in hard-to-maintain shaded areas.
- Shaded Border Accent: Use it to define the edge of shaded borders, providing a delicate texture, early spring color, and appealing foliage.
- Asian Garden Style: The refined beauty and intricate flowers of Epimedium blend seamlessly into Asian-inspired garden designs, contributing to a sense of calm and tranquility.
- Eclectic Gardens: 'Hugs and Kisses' can be incorporated into eclectic designs where its unique bicolored flowers and textural foliage can provide a surprising and charming element.
- Specimen Plant: A well-established clump of 'Hugs and Kisses' can serve as a delightful specimen plant in a favored shaded spot, allowing its intricate blooms and attractive foliage to be admired up close.
- Underplanting: Excellent for underplanting taller shade-loving plants such as Hostas, ferns, or Astilbes, providing a low layer of foliage and an early splash of color.
- Erosion Control: On gentle slopes in shaded areas, its spreading habit and fibrous roots can contribute to erosion control.
Hardiness
Epimedium 'Hugs and Kisses' is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 8, indicating its robust ability to withstand a range of winter temperatures and perform well in various climates.
Planting and Cultivation
- Location: Choose a shady location, from part shade (4-6 hours of direct sun, preferably morning sun) to full shade (less than 4 hours of direct sun). Protection from the intense afternoon sun is beneficial. Its tolerance for dry shade makes it a perfect choice for planting under large, mature trees.
- Soil: Epimedium prefers rich, loose, woodland soils that are evenly moist but well-drained. It adapts well to a wide range of soil conditions, including average or fertile quality, and is tolerant of acidic to neutral pH. While it can survive in less-than-ideal soils, incorporating generous amounts of organic matter (compost, leaf mold) will significantly improve establishment and vigor. Good drainage is paramount; avoid perpetually soggy conditions.
- Planting:
- Dig a planting hole that is as deep as the root ball and at least twice as wide.
- Carefully remove the plant from its container and gently loosen any circling or matted roots.
- Position the plant in the hole so that the crown (where the stems emerge from the roots) is level with or just slightly below the surrounding soil surface.
- Backfill with the amended soil, gently tamping to ensure good soil-to-root contact and eliminate air pockets.
- Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil.
- Watering: While establishing, provide average water needs to keep the soil consistently moist. Once established, 'Hugs and Kisses' is highly drought tolerant and will thrive with low water needs, making it a low-maintenance option for dry areas.
- Fertilization: In well-amended, fertile soils, additional fertilization is often unnecessary. If growth seems slow or the soil is poor, a light application of a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins can provide a boost.
- Maintenance:
- Mulching: Due to its slow growth rate, applying a layer of organic mulch around the plants will help suppress weeds and retain soil moisture, aiding in establishment and overall health.
- Foliage Trimming: As a semi-evergreen, its foliage persists through winter. To display the charming spring flowers and encourage a fresh flush of new foliage, it is beneficial to trim off any old, tattered, or unattractive foliage in late winter or very early spring, just before new growth emerges.
- Pests and Diseases: Epimedium is remarkably resistant to most common garden pests and diseases, contributing to its reputation as an easy-to-grow and durable plant.
- Propagation:
- Division: The most effective method for propagating 'Hugs and Kisses' is by division. This is best done in early fall. Gently lift the entire clump, and using a sharp knife or spade, divide it into smaller sections, ensuring each section has a healthy portion of roots and dormant buds. Replant the divisions immediately and water well to encourage new root development.
Thirty (30) plants per flat (or tray). Approximate Plug Measurements: 3 inches deep x 2 inches wide.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
