3 named cultivars

perennial

Barrenwort

The Story

Plant Bio

Epimedium acuminatum is a taller barrenwort from western and central China, forming clumps one to two feet high and as wide. The leaflets are long and sharply tapered, leathery, evergreen in mild winters and flushed bronze as they open. Long-spurred flowers in purple and white hang on wiry stems above the foliage in April and May.

The flowers are among the largest and longest-spurred in the genus, held clear of the leaves rather than buried in them, which is why this species is worth the extra height in a shady border. Its foliage is evergreen enough to shred over winter, so shear it in late winter for a clean start.

Uses & Benefits:

Unusually large long-spurred purple and white flowers held above bronze-flushed evergreen foliage.

Tolerates dry shade, heavy shade and erosion-prone slopes where few perennials hold on.

Dense low cover for ground-level invertebrates, and generally left alone by deer and rabbits.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

18 inches

Width

15 inches

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Low to medium

Humidity

Average

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Western and central China

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in spring or early autumn in part to full shade.
Choose loose, acidic, humus-rich soil that drains freely.
Set the crown level with the surrounding soil.
Water through the first season while it establishes.
Shear the old foliage down in late winter.
Mulch with leaf mould after cutting back.

Pro Tip

Cut the old leaves off in late winter before the flower stems rise, or the long spurs will be tangled in tired foliage.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Site it in part to full shade 🌳
Give it loose, humus-rich, acidic soil 🍂
Shear old foliage in late winter ✂️
Let it establish before expecting full flowering 🌱

Don't

Leave it in full afternoon sun ❌
Plant it in heavy or waterlogged ground ❌
Cut the foliage once flower stems have emerged ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Cut Back
Divide

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Ground cover for dry shade under treesWoodland garden and shaded border plantingEdging along a shaded path

Companion Plants

Hellebore HostaJapanese Painted Fern Foamflower Solomon's Seal

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Barrenwort questions

What zones can Barrenwort grow in?

Barrenwort is hardy in USDA Zones 5–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Barrenwort deer resistant?

Yes — Barrenwort is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Barrenwort bloom?

Barrenwort typically blooms in mid to late spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Barrenwort need full sun?

Barrenwort does best in part shade.

Is Barrenwort drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Barrenwort handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.