One of the best things about gardening is that there is always something new to learn.  At this time of the year, when the weather in much of the country makes outdoor gardening unappealing or impossible, learning and planning take center stage.  One of my New Year's resolutions, this year and every year, is to learn about a particular plant species or variety.  Since we are living in a golden age of plant breeding and new varieties and species from all over the world are more available than ever before, learning about something new is easy.  

Last year I made a commitment to explore the world of hellebores.  I still have a lot to learn about the genus, but I have already enriched my garden with new varieties, and I can't wait until they bloom in the spring.  This year I may focus on the epimediums.  I grow two species of these attractive, shade-loving groundcovers, but there are many more and I have some available shady space for interesting newcomers.  The flowers of many of the epimedium species and hybrids remind me of very small columbines.  The leaves, which sport interesting coloration in many of the species, are often shaped like elongated hearts. 

Epimedium are part of the barberry family, with all of the beauty of some of their woodier relatives, but none of the prickles.  I am scouring reference sources to learn more about them.  As my knowledge grows broader, my garden grows better.