Barrenwort
Epimedium
Barrenwort blooms from April through May.
Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.
Growing Barrenwort
Plant it in part shade. It prefers moderate water. It is hardy in USDA zones 4–8. Expect it to reach about 12 in tall and 1.3 ft wide at maturity, in roughly 2 years.
When to plant Barrenwort
Plant Barrenwort in early spring as soon as the soil is workable, or in early fall at least six weeks before your first frost, so roots establish in cool weather. For the middle of its hardy zones 4 to 8 range, spring means March to May and fall means August or September. Once settled, it blooms from April to May.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 6 in March.
Good to know about Barrenwort
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Worth knowing
One of the few perennials that thrives in true dry shade: the shallow rhizomes hold their own moisture, so it rides out drought and competes with tree roots. per NC State and Missouri Botanical
Evergreen or deciduous?
It depends on the species: Asian types drop their leaves, Mediterranean types stay semi-evergreen or evergreen. That decides whether you cut back tatty old foliage before spring bloom. per NC State and Iowa State
Sold as horny goat weed
This is the plant sold as the herbal supplement 'horny goat weed,' used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries as a tonic and aphrodisiac. per NIH LiverTox and Molecules
Deer and rabbit resistant
Deer and rabbits reliably leave it alone, so it needs no protection in an unfenced woodland garden. per NC State
Few pests, tough plant
Few serious problems: occasional slugs, vine weevils, or aphid-spread mosaic virus. Otherwise a tough, long-lived, low-maintenance groundcover. per NC State and Missouri Botanical
Bronze spring and fall color
Many selections push bronze or reddish new growth in spring and turn bronze to red or burgundy in fall. per Iowa State
What pairs well with Barrenwort
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Northern Sea Oats
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in midsummer, extending the bed's season; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; taller at 3.3 ft, for the layer behind it.
Rhododendron
Shares part shade and moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into early summer; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; taller at 5.9 ft, for the layer behind it.
Goatsbeard
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in early summer as this one finishes; taller at 3.9 ft, for the layer behind it; a soft color beside the yellow.
Camellia
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in midwinter, before this one opens; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; stands well above at 6.6 ft, a canopy to plant beneath; they only overlap in zones 7 to 8.
Beautyberry
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; blooms in early summer as this one finishes; taller at 4.9 ft, for the layer behind it; pink against yellow, for contrast.
Meadow Rue
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in early summer as this one finishes; taller at 3.9 ft, for the layer behind it; purple against yellow, for contrast.
Snowdrop
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in late winter, before this one opens; lower at 5 in, for the front of the border; its white flowers settle the yellow.
Wishbone Flower
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in early summer as this one finishes; lower at 10 in, for the front of the border; blue against yellow, for contrast.
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