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. Guest speaker 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. We will also get a glimpse into the collecting trips to China made by Epimedium expert, Darrell Probst.
Karen Perkins 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 Vision Epimediums, a Massachusetts based mail order nursery, started by Darrell Probst, and offering over 170 species and varieties of Epimediums along with other choice companion shade perennials.
If you are interested in attending our meeting, but have not received the link via email, or are not a SGC member, you can email info@somervillegardenclub.org for the link.