Companion plants for Barrenwort
Barrenwort blooms from April through May. It wants part shade and moderate water. The 8 companion pairings below each state why the pairing works.
Blooming before Barrenwort opens
Witch Hazel
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; blooms in late winter, before this one opens; stands well above at 10 ft, a canopy to plant beneath; echoes 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 6.5 ft, a canopy to plant beneath; they only overlap in zones 7 to 8.
Taking over as Barrenwort finishes
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 3.5 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 6 ft, for the layer behind it.
Goatsbeard
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in early summer as this one finishes; taller at 4 ft, for the layer behind it; its white flowers settle the yellow.
Meadow Rue
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in early summer as this one finishes; taller at 4 ft, for the layer behind it; purple against yellow, for contrast.
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; purple against yellow, for contrast.
Blooming alongside
Hellebore
Shares part shade and moderate water; opens in late winter and overlaps into this one's season; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter.