Epimedium Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Epimedium plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.
Barrenwort, Bishop's Hat, & Horny Goat Weed: Cultivation & Garden Use
Members of the Epimedium genus are perennials that vary in height from 15 to 45 cm.
They have nice looking heart shaped leaves, and come into bloom from late spring to early summer carrying racemes of pink, white, red, or yellow complexed flowers.
Their size makes them ideal for use in a rock garden or as ground cover. Common names for Epimedium include Barrenwort, Fairy wings, and Bishop's hat.
Epimedium photograph by sonyaseattle.
Epimedium Leaf picture by MeganEHansen.
How to grow Epimedium
Members of the Epimedium genus such as Barrenwort should be grown from divided plants or purchased from garden centres.
They should be grown in an area of the garden that is shady and has good drainage.
They prefer to grow in a soil that is organic, moist and slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5 to 7) in nature. They should be spaced at about 20 to 30 cm apart, and are very slow growing, so may take many years until their beauty shows through.
Caring for Epimedium in the Garden
Epimedium plants requires watering during prolonged dry spells, and should be cut back in the early spring, so that only nice strong growths remain.
If you require more plants then divid in the spring or summer.
Epimedium Growing and Care Guide
- Common Names: Barrenwort, Bishop's hat, Horny goat weed, Fairy wings, Randy beef grass, or Yin yang huo.
- Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
- Height: 6 to 18 inches (15—45 cm).
- Native: : East Asia.
- Growing Region: Zones 4 to 9.
- Flowers: Late spring and early summer.
- Flower Details: White, red, pink, yellow. Raceme or panicle. Single or tufted slender stems.
- Foliage: Herbaceous or Evergreen. Compound leaves, usually three leaflets. Cordate.
- Grow Outside: Usually grown from purchased plants as plants are extremely slow growers, or from propagations. Plant outdoors following the last frost or early in the autumn. If growing from divisions best results are obtained in late summer. Space at about 6 to 12 inches (15—30 cm).
- Requirements and care: Full or partial shade (in rich soils). Good drainage. Slightly acidic to neutral soil pH 5.5 to 7. Moist, rich soil enhanced with organic matter. Regular watering during dry periods. Winter mulch with straw. Tidy messy growth. Propagate: by dividing in the spring in cooler areas or the autumn in warmer areas; it is thought that division in late summer leads to best results.
- Family: Berberidaceae.
- Closely Related Species: Barberry, Berberis.
- Miscellaneous: Named after the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus. Extracts from this plant have many medical uses including the treatment of osteoporosis, and as an aphrodisiac – hence some of its common names e.g., Horny goat weed.
Common Questions
How many members does the Epimedium genus have?
The Epimedium genus consists of 52 species.
Do members of Epimedium make a good garden or landscaping plant?
Yes, Epimedium, commonly known as Barrenwort, is an excellent groundcover for shady areas and has attractive foliage and flowers.
Which Epimedium species are most frequently grown by gardeners?
Epimedium x versicolor and Epimedium grandiflorum are often grown by gardeners.
Are members of the Epimedium plant genus fragrant?
No, Epimedium plants are not known for their fragrance.
What is the perfect location to grow Epimedium?
Epimedium prefers a shady location with moist, well-drained soil.
Is Epimedium invasive in the USA, if so in which states?
Currently, Epimedium is not considered invasive in the USA.
How do I remove Epimedium plants from my garden?
Epimedium can be removed by uprooting the plant, making sure to remove all roots to prevent regrowth.
Summary
The Epimedium genus, commonly known as Barrenwort or Bishop's Hat, contains about 60 species of flowering plants native to Asia and the Mediterranean region. These shade-loving perennials are grown for their delicate, often colorful foliage and small, graceful flowers that appear in spring.
Epimedium plants prefer partial to full shade and well-drained soil, ideally rich in organic matter. They can be grown from seeds or division. Perfect as ground cover plants for shady areas, they are also deer-resistant and drought-tolerant once established. They're often used in woodland gardens or grown under trees and shrubs.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Epimedium plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Berberis thunbergii and Nandina domestica plants.
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