Ornamental · Berberidaceae
Barrenwort
Epimedium grandiflorum
Tough, deer-proof, and happy in dry shade, barrenwort carpets the ground where little else will grow.
Partial shade
Every 7–14 days
USDA 5–8
10–18 in · 25–46 cm
Overview
Barrenwort is one of the best plants for the shady, root-filled ground under trees and shrubs where most perennials sulk. It belongs to the barberry family and forms slow, tidy clumps of wiry stems and heart-shaped leaflets. In spring it throws up airy sprays of small spurred flowers that have earned it nicknames like bishop's hat and fairy wings.
The foliage is the longer show. New leaves often open with a red or bronze tint before settling to green, and many kinds hold their leaves well into winter. Cut the tired old growth to the ground in late winter and the fresh spring flush comes through clean, with the flowers standing clear above it.
Once it takes hold, barrenwort asks for almost nothing. It shrugs off deer and rabbits, copes with the dry shade beneath established trees, and spreads steadily by rhizome to knit into a low groundcover. Give it a couple of seasons to establish and it earns its keep for decades.
Care
The short version: plant it in part to full shade in loose, acidic, organically rich soil, keep it watered while it settles in, and divide the clumps every few years to keep them vigorous.
Light
Barrenwort does best in part to full shade, the kind of dappled light found under trees and on the north side of a wall. It will take some morning sun, but hot afternoon sun scorches the leaf edges, especially in dry soil.
Water
Keep new plants evenly moist while they root in, watering every 7 to 14 days as the top half of the soil dries. Once established, the rhizomes store enough moisture to ride out dry shade and short droughts, though sunnier northern sites want a bit more summer water.
Soil
Plant in loose, well-drained, organically rich loam on the acidic side, with a pH of 5.0 to 7.0. It resents heavy wet ground and won't tolerate alkaline soil, so work in compost or leaf mold before planting.
Temperature
This is a cold-hardy perennial that handles roughly -20°F to 86°F (-29°C to 30°C). It needs no winter protection across its range and simply goes dormant or holds tattered leaves through the cold.
Humidity
Average outdoor humidity suits it and there's no number to chase. What matters more is steady soil moisture in the root zone rather than moisture in the air.
Feeding
Feed lightly in spring as the new growth emerges, using a balanced fertilizer or a top-dressing of compost or organic matter. It's a modest feeder, so once a season is plenty.
Pruning
Cut back the old or winter-damaged foliage in late winter, just before the new growth pushes up, so the spring flowers show clearly. Beyond that yearly shearing it needs no pruning.
Repotting
In the ground, lift and divide the clumps every 3 to 4 years in early spring or fall to keep them vigorous. Declining flowering, weaker growth, or a congested, crowded center are the signs it's time.
Size & spacing
Plants reach about 10 to 18 inches (25 to 46 cm) tall and spread 12 to 24 inches (30 to 61 cm) wide. Set them a foot or two apart and they slowly close the gaps into a continuous groundcover.
When to plant
Barrenwort is hardy and patient, so timing is forgiving. Set new plants out in spring or fall while the soil is cool and moist, and look for the delicate flowers from April into June before the foliage takes over for the rest of the year.
Northern hemisphere
Southern hemisphere
Typical months for a temperate climate: start earlier in warm zones, later where spring frosts linger.
- Plant: Spring or fall
- Harvest: April to June (spring)
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones: 5–8
Temperature: down to -29°C
Troubleshooting
Barrenwort stays remarkably trouble-free, and most of what goes wrong shows on the leaves. A handful of pests and the odd virus account for nearly all of it. Match what you see below, then act before it spreads.
Leaves mottled, streaked, or twisted out of shape
Patchy yellow-green mottling like this points to mosaic virus, which aphids carry from plant to plant. There is no cure, so dig out badly infected clumps and destroy them rather than composting. Keep aphids in check on the new growth and never divide from a plant that shows the patterning.
Fix:
- Remove and destroy severely infected plants since there is no cure for the virus
- Control aphid vectors to limit spread
- Avoid propagating from infected plants
Ragged holes chewed through the leaves
Holes and notched edges with slime trails nearby are the work of slugs, which feed after dark, while vine weevils leave their own clean notches around the margins. Pick slugs off by hand in the evening or ring the clumps with bait or a barrier. Clearing away damp debris removes the cover both pests rely on.
Fix:
- Hand-pick slugs in the evening
- Use slug baits or barriers around clumps
- Remove debris that shelters pests
Browned, crispy edges on the leaves
Leaf scorch shows up when the plant sits in hot afternoon sun, and dry soil makes it worse. Plants tucked into real shade stay clean. Shift a struggling clump into dappled or full shade, water it more in sunnier spots, and mulch to hold the moisture in.
Fix:
- Move or site plants in part to full shade
- Provide additional summer water in sunnier locations
- Mulch to conserve soil moisture
Toxicity
Good news for households with pets and small children: barrenwort is not poisonous. It carries no toxin that harms cats, dogs, horses, or livestock, and its young leaves are even eaten as a cooked green. You can plant it anywhere without worrying about a curious nibble.
Safe for
People · Cats · Dogs · Horses · Rabbits · Livestock · Birds
Cats None
Barrenwort is safe for cats. A curious nibble won't poison them, and the plant carries no toxin that troubles felines.
Dogs None
Dogs can dig and chew around a planting with nothing to worry about, since no part of the plant is poisonous to them.
Horses None
Nothing in barrenwort harms horses. The foliage is not toxic if a grazing horse takes a mouthful.
Rabbits None
Rabbits leave it largely alone, and that's a bonus rather than a risk. The plant is rabbit-resistant and non-toxic, so a stray bite does no harm.
Livestock None
Grazing cattle, goats, and sheep face no poisoning from barrenwort. It holds no compound that upsets them.
Birds None
The plant poses no danger to birds that peck at the leaves or forage nearby.
People None
People are safe around barrenwort, and the young leaves are even eaten as a cooked green after soaking and boiling. Keep it as an ornamental unless you know the preparation.
No special handling precautions needed for a non-toxic ornamental groundcover.
Varieties
Hundreds of barrenwort selections exist, bred for flower color and leaf form. A few turn up again and again in shade gardens and are worth knowing by name.
Epimedium × rubrum
The red barrenwort carries crimson and pale-yellow bicolor flowers above spring foliage that flushes red as it unfurls.
Epimedium × youngianum Niveum
This snowy barrenwort stays compact and opens pure white flowers, a clean choice for a shaded corner.
Epimedium × versicolor Sulphureum
A vigorous spreader with soft sulphur-yellow flowers, it tends to hold its leaves through mild winters.
Amber Queen
Amber Queen blooms over a long stretch, holding amber-yellow flowers on tall, spurred stems.
Companions
Plant near
Hosta: Shares the same part-to-full-shade, moist, organically rich woodland conditions and contrasts in foliage texture.
Ferns: Thrives in the same shaded, humus-rich sites and complements the delicate barrenwort foliage.
Hellebore: Another shade-loving, deer-resistant perennial that pairs well in woodland borders with similar care needs.
How to propagate
Barrenwort multiplies the easy way, by splitting an established clump. Lift it, divide it, and replant, and you have several plants from one.
DivisionEasy
Early spring or fall · One to two growing seasons
Division is the simple way to make more barrenwort. Lift a mature clump in early spring or fall, slice the rhizomes into sections with healthy roots and buds, and replant them straight away. Do this every 3 to 4 years to keep the parent vigorous, and give each new piece one to two growing seasons to settle in and flower freely.
Myths
Barrenwort is poisonous to cats and dogs.
The ASPCA doesn't list barrenwort among its toxic plants, and trusted horticultural sources report no toxicity at all. It's a deer- and rabbit-resistant shade groundcover whose young leaves are even eaten as a cooked green. Barrenwort is safe to grow around pets and children.