× rubrum Morr., hybrid between E. alpinum and E. grandiflorum E. × versicolor Morr., hybrid between E. grandiflorum and E. pinnatum subsp. colchicum E. × warleyense Stearn, hybrid between E. alpinum and E. pinnatum subsp. colchicum E. × youngianum Fisch & C.A.Mey, hybrid between E. diphyllum and E. grandiflorum Cultivation Some varieties and hybrids have been in Western cultivation for the last 100 to 150 years. There is now a wide array of new Chinese species being cultivated in the West, many of which have only recently been discovered, and some of which have yet to be named. There are also many older Japanese hybrids and forms, extending the boundaries of the genus in cultivation. The majority of the Chinese species have not been fully tested for hardiness nor indeed for any other aspect of their culture. The initial assumption that the plants would only thrive where their native conditions could be closely replicated have proven to be overly cautious, as most varieties are proving extraordinarily amenable to general garden and container cultivation. The cultivar 'Amber Queen' is a recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Propagation While they can be successfully propagated in early spring, epimediums are best divided in late summer, with the aim of promoting rapid re-growth of roots and shoots before the onset of winter. Several breeders (in particular Darrell Diano Probst, Tim Branney & Robin White) have also undertaken their own hybridization programmes with the genus. Various new nursery selections are gradually appearing in the horticulture trade, the best of which extend the colour and shape range of the flowers available to the gardener. Chemistry Epimedium wushanense contains a number of flavonoids. 37 compounds were characterized from the underground and aerial parts of the plant. Among them, 28 compounds were prenylflavonoids. The predominant flavonoid, epimedin C, ranged from 1.4 to 5.1% in aerial parts and 1.0 to 2.8% in underground parts. Citations General and cited references External links Berberidaceae genera Medicinal plants