About

Epimedium perralderianum, Perraudierre's barrenwort, is a slow-spreading, evergreen perennial to 30 cm tall with three polished, oval leaflets bearing spiny margins, bronze-tinted when young, maturing to darker green. Up to 25 bright-yellow flowers are held on stems just above the foliage in spring. An excellent and ornamental evergreen ground-cover 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 typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, North-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Native toAlgeria

Care notes

CultivationGrow in fertile, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial shade; shelter from cold, dry winds. Copes well with dry and open positions when well-established
PruningCut back old foliage in late winter or early spring before new flower stems emerge 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