11 named cultivars

perennial

Young's Barrenwort

The Story

Plant Bio

Epimedium youngianum, or Young's barrenwort, is a low rhizomatous perennial of garden origin, raised from a cross between E. diphyllum and E. grandiflorum. It forms slow-spreading clumps six to nine inches high, with wiry stems carrying heart-shaped leaflets that flush bronze in spring. Sprays of small pinkish-white flowers hang above the foliage in April.

It is one of the better epimediums for dry shade, holding up under tree roots where most shade perennials fail. The clump spreads slowly rather than running, so it stays where it is put and is worth planting in groups if you want ground covered within a few seasons.

Uses & Benefits:

Bronze-flushed spring foliage and hanging pinkish-white flowers give two distinct seasons of interest in shade.

One of the few reliable ground covers for dry shade beneath established trees.

Dense low cover that shelters ground-level invertebrates; rabbits and deer generally leave it alone.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

8 inches

Width

12 inches

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Low to medium

Humidity

Average

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Garden origin; parent species from Japan

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in spring or early autumn in part to full shade.
Choose a loose, organically rich soil that drains freely.
Set the crown level with the surrounding soil.
Water through the first season while the rhizomes establish.
Shear old foliage to the ground in late winter.
Mulch lightly with leaf mould once cut back.

Pro Tip

Cut the old leaves away in late winter before the flower stems rise, or you will be trimming around them.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Site it in part to full shade 🌳
Improve the soil with leaf mould before planting 🍂
Shear the old foliage back in late winter ✂️
Plant in groups for quicker cover 🌱

Don't

Plant it in full afternoon sun ❌
Let it sit in wet, poorly drained ground ❌
Cut the old leaves after the flower stems appear ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Ground cover for dry shade under treesWoodland and shade garden edgingFront of a shaded border or path

Companion Plants

Hellebore Japanese Painted Fern HostaFoamflower Lungwort

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Young's Barrenwort questions

What zones can Young's Barrenwort grow in?

Young's Barrenwort is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Young's Barrenwort deer resistant?

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

When does Young's Barrenwort bloom?

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

Does Young's Barrenwort need full sun?

Young's Barrenwort does best in part shade.

Is Young's Barrenwort drought tolerant?

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