doctor’s orders

The Japanese epimediums arrived in Europe in the latter part of the 18th century, thanks to the efforts of physician Philipp Franz von Siebold. Working for the Dutch East India Company in Japan, he was based on the tiny, man-made island of Deshima off the coast from Nagasaki. On a trip to the mainland to treat a Shōgun, he was fascinated by the plants new to his European eyes. On his return to Deshima, he sent his manservant onto the mainland for ‘fodder’ for a goat. In this way he made collections of native plants including epimediums that he sent back to Leiden in Holland. They eventually arrived at Ghent University Botanical Garden where they remain to this day.