Epimedium ssp., barrenwort
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Vines & Groundcovers

Epimedium ssp.

barrenwort

BerberidaceaeAsia, Europe

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitSpreading
FoliageSemi-evergreen
Height8–18 inches (20–45 cm)
Width12–24 inches (30–60 cm)
Maturity2 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 9
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Container Friendly
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Epimedium, commonly called barrenwort or bishop's hat, is a genus of approximately 60 species of rhizomatous perennials in the family Berberidaceae, with the vast majority native to China, and smaller numbers distributed across Japan, Korea, the Himalayan foothills, and the Mediterranean. Plants form spreading, weed-suppressing mats of compound leaves with heart-shaped, spiny-margined leaflets, often flushed bronze or red when young in spring and frequently developing burgundy-red tints in autumn. In spring, delicate four-petaled flowers — often with prominent spurs on the inner petals — float in airy sprays above or just below the emerging foliage in shades of white, yellow, pink, red, orange, and purple. Epimedium species range from fully deciduous to semi-evergreen to fully evergreen depending on species and climate. They are among the most reliable and versatile groundcovers for dry shade in Pacific Northwest gardens, tolerating competition from tree roots, summer drought once established, and deep shade conditions where few other plants thrive. Deer and rabbit resistance makes them particularly valuable in gardens subject to browsing pressure.

Native Range

The genus is native primarily to eastern Asia, with approximately 40–50 of the roughly 60 species endemic to China, particularly the Yangtze River watershed and the hills of Sichuan and Guizhou provinces. Additional species occur in Japan, Korea, the Himalayas (Nepal, Bhutan), and a small number are native to the Mediterranean region including southern Europe and North Africa. No Epimedium species are native to North America.

Suggested Uses

Epimedium is among the finest groundcovers for dry to moist shade, particularly under large deciduous trees, along shaded paths, and as a weed-suppressing carpet beneath shrubs. The seasonal foliage interest — bronze spring growth, green summer, red-purple autumn tints in many species — combined with the spring flower display makes it a multi-season performer. Particularly effective beneath Japanese maples, rhododendrons, and magnolias. Combines well with hostas, hellebores, and ferns in shaded mixed borders. Deer resistance makes it a first-choice plant for gardens with browsing pressure.

How to Identify

Epimedium species are identified by their compound leaves with three or more heart-shaped to arrowhead-shaped leaflets bearing distinctly spiny-toothed or bristle-margined edges. New spring growth is often flushed bronze, red, or pink, gradually greening through the season. In spring, wiry stems bear small four-petaled flowers with prominent inner petals that typically end in curved spurs, giving a spider-like or bishop's mitre appearance in many species. The combination of spiny-margined leaflets, wiry stems, and spurred spring flowers is diagnostic for the genus.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 1'6"
Width/Spread1' - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white
yellow
pink
red
orange
purple

Foliage Colors

green
bronze
red

Fall Foliage Colors

red
bronze
orange

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
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Spring
Epimedium blooms in spring, typically March through May in Pacific Northwest gardens. Flowers emerge simultaneously with or slightly before new foliage, creating a brief but charming display of delicate sprays above the expanding leaves. Individual flowers are small, 0.5–1 inch (1–2.5 cm), but borne in sufficient numbers to be collectively showy. Bloom duration is approximately three to four weeks per plant. Some species such as Epimedium x versicolor bloom as early as late February in mild Pacific Northwest winters.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White, yellow, pink, red, orange, or purple depending on species

Foliage Description

Bronze-red when young, maturing to medium green; red-purple autumn tints in many species

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade
Full Shade
Tolerates up to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2–3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Epimedium is one of the most adaptable and low-maintenance perennials available for Pacific Northwest gardens. Plant in partial to full shade in well-drained to average, humus-rich soil. Once established — typically after the first growing season — the species is remarkably drought-tolerant and competes effectively with tree root systems. In the first year, water regularly until established. No fertilization is required; top-dress annually with leaf mould or compost in early spring. For best flower display, cut back old foliage (on semi-evergreen and evergreen types) in late winter before new growth emerges; this exposes the spring flowers. Divide in early spring or autumn if clumps require restriction, though division is rarely necessary.

Pruning

For deciduous species, remove dead foliage in late autumn or early spring before new growth emerges. For semi-evergreen and evergreen species, cut back old foliage to within 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) of the ground in late winter (February–March in the Pacific Northwest) before flower stems and new leaves emerge; this single annual tidying is the primary maintenance task for the genus. Do not cut back in autumn, as old foliage provides winter protection for the crown. Avoid disturbing the shallow rhizomes during cleanup.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic