About
Epimedium alpinum, barrenwort, is an evergreen, rhizomatous perennial to 25 cm tall with polished, finely toothed, bronze-tinted, compound leaves that mature to mid-green, turning red in autumn. Slender spikes of pendant flowers appear in spring, with dark purple-red sepals and yellow, short-spurred petals. An ornamental and reliable ground-cover perennial for a shaded border.
About the genus
Epimedium, the barrenworts, are rhizomatous perennials with evergreen or deciduous, ternately or pinnately divided leaves, often attractively tinted or marbled, and open sprays of small, spurred flowers in spring. Excellent ground-cover plants for dry shade.
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesRock garden
Native toC & S Europe
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial shade; shelter from cold, dry winds
PruningCut back old foliage in late winter or early spring for the best display of new foliage and flowers
PropagationPropagate by division in autumn or after flowering
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a virus