I'm not sure how to answer you. Bare root perennials are seldom available in the fall - generally bare root plants are dug and sold while dormant, which in the case of epis is in midwinter. It could very well be that these were 'held over' from earlier in the season, in which case they may not have survived the process. AFA planting too deep is concerned, just under the soil surface and a couple of inches of compost is not too deep, specially since compost will typically compact over winter. I'd give them some time yet - new growth is just starting to emerge here in zone 8.

btw, it's 'Lilafee' :-)

Thanks for the response, gardengal. I appreciate it.

Hi,
I have 16 different epis. I think you should just wait also. In the fall 2 years ago I planted 6 new epis. I thought I lost them when they didn't show up in the Spring. Then, there they were. Just give it a little more time. One of my favorite dry shade plants. Most are even hardier that the label suggests.
Von

Hi Von, thanks for the response. My anxiety is melting just like the snow. Can you suggest a good mailorder source for epis? Thanks. again.

Paul

Hi again,
I bought a lot of mine from this source:
Garden Vision
63 Williamsville Road
Hubbardston, MA 01452-1315
Phone/fax 978-928-4808
website: home.earthlink.net/-darrellpro

All the nurserys around here had the same 4 or 5 varieties. I saw something about this on Martha Stewart and got a catalog. Some of the varieties are amazing. some are creepers and others are not. I did find more varieties of epis in the garden centers around here last year. I think they will catch on like hosta have. They make good companion plants for hosta and fern because of the different textures of foliage.
Have fun discovering the world of epis.
Von

Darrell Probst IS the epimedium guru. I jst received his new catalog "Garden Visions". He has 11 pages of Epimediums and 12 pages of color photos of the plants he is offering. The website is home.earthlink.net/~darrellpro

Von1 and Waplummer, thanks very much for the info regarding Darrell Probst. I already ordered my catalog! Let's see...an E. Black Sea, E. Lishihchenii, E. Stellulatum "Wudang Star," E. X Omeiense...to start. Any favorites, suggestions??

Another excellent epi source is Naylor Creek Nursery, plus they carry a pretty impressive selection of other shade lovers including scores of hostas. Some of my favorites are 'Rose Queen' (Yubae), 'Queen Esta', leptorrhizum and brachyrrhizum, but I've never met an epimedium I didn't like :-))

Here is a link that might be useful: Naylor Creek epis

Thanks, gardengal48! I will check them out as well. Oh boy, I feel an addiction coming on...

I JUST LOOKED AT THE EPIS AT NAYLOR CRREK THIS MORNING AND WAS SURPRISED THAT THEY HAD SO MANY. I STARTED AN ORDER THEN HAD TO GO TO WORK. HIT 100.00 WITH OUT EVEN TRYING. LOOK AT THE BRUNNERA JACK FROST(READILY AVAILABLE NOW). I HAVE THIS AND CAN'T SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT IT. SAME ENVIRONMENT AS EPIS AND HOSTA. SILVER WINGS IS THE REASON WHY I WENT TO THIS SITE. I CAN'T FIND IT ELSEWHERE. I THINK THE OTHER SILVER BRUNNERA WAS LOOKING GLASS. THESE ARE REALLY EXCELLENT COMBINED WITH THE HOSTA AND RED COLORED HEUCHERA LIKE AMETHYST MIST.
VON

Hi Von, I love my brunnera. I have some jack frost, looking glass and a variegated form. I combine mine with some pulmonaria. I'll have to get some heuchera in there...

Paul

Is this a guy thing--liking Brunnera Jack Frost?

I know that folks have visceral reactions to various
plants--that one does it for me--neighbors up the hill
have many of those plants and they remind me of the
descriptions of the plants in Mordor--the white, pale
ghostlike flora of the land of the dead.

but, no accounting for taste!
Each to his own, I always say!