Create Your Garden

Epimedium leptorrhizum (Barrenwort)

Barrenwort, Bishop's Hat, Bishop's Mitre, Fairy Wings

Epimedium leptorrhizum, Barrenwort, Bishop's Hat, Bishop's Mitre, Fairy Wings, Shade Plants, Shade Perennials, White Flowers, Groundcovers, Ground Cover

Noted for its particularly large flowers, Epimedium leptorrhizum (Barrenwort) is a low-growing semi-evergreen perennial with large, deeply veined leaves with white undersides. Emerging mottled bronze in spring, they mature to olive-green. In mid to late spring, large, rose-pink, nodding flowers, 2 in. across (5 cm), adorned with gracefully up-tilted sepals and paler shell-pink spurred petals rise on wiry stems above the foliage mound. Evergreen south of USDA Zone 7. 

  • Grows up to 6-12 in. tall and wide (15-30 cm). Will spread by creeping rhizomes to form attractive colonies over time.
  • Performs best in part shade to full shade in average, acidic, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Humus-rich, fertile, moist soils in part shade are preferred. Drought tolerant once established. Protect from cold, dry winds.
  • Virtually pest and disease free. Rabbit and deer tolerant.
  • Easy to grow, this plant is a welcomed addition to beds and borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, shade gardens, or containers. Excellent as a groundcover.
  • Propagate by division in the fall or after flowering.
  • Cut back old foliage in late winter or early spring for the best display of new foliage and flowers.
  • Native to China

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Berberidaceae
Genus Epimedium
Common names Barrenwort
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spread 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Tolerance Full Shade, Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Epimedium (Barrenwort) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Epimedium x omeiense ‘Rigoletto’ (Barrenwort)
Epimedium ‘Pretty in Pink’ (Barrenwort)
Epimedium ‘Songbirds’ (Barrenwort)
Epimedium wushanense ‘Sandy Claws’ (Barrenwort)
Epimedium ‘Spine Tingler’ (Barrenwort)
Epimedium ‘Kaguyahime’ (Barrenwort)

Recommended Companion Plants

Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Painted Lady Fern)
Phlox divaricata (Woodland Phlox)
Hosta (Plantain Lily)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

30 Great Perennials for Shade
Epimedium (Barrenwort)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Berberidaceae
Genus Epimedium
Common names Barrenwort
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spread 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Tolerance Full Shade, Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Epimedium (Barrenwort) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Epimedium leptorrhizum (Barrenwort) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Epimedium leptorrhizum (Barrenwort) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone