Guide to growing garden plants - Epimedium Barrenwort
Members of the Epimedium genus are perennials that vary in height from 15 to 45cm in height.
They have nice looking heart shaped leaves and come into flower from May to June with pink, white, red or yellow complex blooms.
Their size makes them ideal for use in a rock garden or for use as ground cover. Some common names for Epimedium include Barrenwort and Bishop's hat.
How to grow Barrenwort (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. Barrenwort likes 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 30cm apart, and are very slow growing, so may take many years until their beauty shows through.
Caring for Barrenwort in the garden
Barrenwort requires watering during prolonged dry spells and should be cut back in the early spring, so that only nice string growths remain. If you require more Barrenwort plants then they can be divided in the spring in colder areas or the autumn in warmer areas.