Skip to content
Log inStart trial

Barrenwort

Epimedium Alpinum

Design with this plant

Overview

Epimedium alpinum, commonly known as Barrenwort, is an enchanting ground cover that thrives in partial to full shade. It exhibits heart-shaped leaves and dainty, spider-like flowers in shades of red and yellow during spring. Hardy in zones 5-8, it reaches a height of 8-12 inches and spreads up to 18 inches. Ideal for woodland gardens, this low-maintenance perennial tolerates dry soil once established, offering year-round interest.

Sun Half, ShadeWater Low, MediumZones 4–7Type Ground cover, PerennialClimate Temperate
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — <br><br>The flowers of Barrenwort appear from mid to late spring; it typically reaches a height of 12 to 15 inches with a
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — making it a superb ground cover for difficult spots beneath trees or on slopesBarrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — These blossoms are not only aesthetically pleasing but are also appealing to pollinatorsBarrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — Ideal for woodland gardens; hardy in zones 5-8, it reaches a height of 8-12 inches and spreads up to 18 inches, image 61Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — ground cover / perennial for half or shadeBarrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — It typically reaches a height of 12 to 15 inches with a similar spreadBarrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — often described as resembling small columbines or spurred violets+69

Culture

Sun
Half, Shade
Water
Low, Medium
USDA zones
4–7

Shape & size

Mature height
18–24 Inches
Mature width
2–3 Ft.

Classification

Type
Ground cover, Perennial
Family
Berberidaceae
Climate
Temperate

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (76)

Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — <br><br>The flowers of Barrenwort appear from mid to late spring; it typically reaches a height of 12 to 15 inches with a
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — making it a superb ground cover for difficult spots beneath trees or on slopes
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — These blossoms are not only aesthetically pleasing but are also appealing to pollinators
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — Ideal for woodland gardens; hardy in zones 5-8, it reaches a height of 8-12 inches and spreads up to 18 inches, image 61
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — ground cover / perennial for half or shade
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — It typically reaches a height of 12 to 15 inches with a similar spread
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — often described as resembling small columbines or spurred violets
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — commonly known as Barrenwort or Bishop's Hat; it is hardy in Zones 5 to 9, ensuring suitability for a variety of temperate
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — is an enchanting ground cover that thrives in partial to full shade
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — This low-maintenance plant is resilient to dry shade once established; it is hardy in Zones 5 to 9, ensuring suitability for a
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — is an enchanting perennial that brings a delicate yet resilient character to any garden landscape
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — Barrenwort is a must-have for creating layered and textured garden designs; it is hardy in Zones 5 to 9, ensuring suitability
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — this low-maintenance perennial tolerates dry soil once established; it typically reaches a height of 12 to 15, image 62
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — ground cover / perennial for half or shade; it is hardy in Zones 5 to 9, ensuring suitability for a variety of temperate
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — this low-maintenance perennial tolerates dry soil once established; it typically reaches a height of 12 to 15 inches with a
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — is an enchanting perennial that brings a delicate yet resilient character to any garden landscape; hardy in zones, image 65
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — This low-maintenance plant is resilient to dry shade once established
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — offering year-round interest
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — ground cover / perennial with multi-colored and red and white blooms
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — commonly known as Barrenwort or Bishop's Hat; it is hardy in Zones 5 to 9, ensuring suitability for a variety of, image 64
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — multi-colored and red and white flowers in the garden
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — making it a superb ground cover for difficult spots beneath trees or on slopes; hardy in zones 5-8, it reaches a height of
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — Ideal for woodland gardens
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — often described as resembling small columbines or spurred violets; it is hardy in Zones 5 to 9, ensuring suitability for a
Photographs by 15 contributors

Related plants

Algerita Barberry (Berberis Trifoliolata) — This drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soils

Shrub

Algerita Barberry

Berberis Trifoliolata

FullUSDA 7–10
Amber Queen Barrenwort (Epimedium 'Amber Queen') — Hardy in zones 5-9, it thrives in partial to full shade and well-drained soil

Ground cover

Amber Queen Barrenwort

Epimedium 'Amber Queen'

Deep ShadeUSDA 4–8
Beale's Barberry (Mahonia Japonica 'Bealei') — Its resilience to pests and diseases; its intricate compound leaves

Broadleaf Evergreen

Beale's Barberry

Mahonia Japonica 'Bealei'

HalfUSDA 7–9
Bicolor Barrenwort (Epimedium X Versicolor 'Sulphureum') — It features heart-shaped leaves and dainty, yellow and lavender-tinted flowers in spring

Ground cover

Bicolor Barrenwort

Epimedium X Versicolor 'Sulphureum'

HalfUSDA 5–8
Bishop's Hat (Epimedium 'Niveum') — which appear in abundance from mid to late spring

Ground cover

Bishop's Hat

Epimedium 'Niveum'

HalfUSDA 4–8
Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum Thalictroides) — Blue Cohosh, Caulophyllum thalictroides, is a shade-loving perennial native to woodland areas

Perennial

Blue Cohosh

Caulophyllum Thalictroides

HalfUSDA 3–8