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Barrenwort

Epimedium × versicolor

An elegant woodland ground cover prized for its heart-shaped leaves that emerge bronze, turn green in summer, and develop beautiful fall colors. Delicate sprays of yellow and red flowers dance above the foliage in spring, creating an enchanting display in shade gardens. Extremely long-lived and deer resistant.

Sun

Partial shade

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Zones

5–8

USDA hardiness

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Height

8-10 inches

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Planting Timeline

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Transplant

Showing dates for Barrenwort in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 ground-cover →

Zone Map

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Barrenwort · Zones 5–8

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-15 inches

SoilWell-drained woodland soil with organic matter

pH5.5-7.0

WaterLow to moderate, very drought tolerant

SeasonPerennial

FlavorN/A

ColorYellow and red bicolor flowers, bronze-green foliage

SizeSpreads 12-18 inches wide

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	—
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	—
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	—
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	—

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day), Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 0 ft. 10 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Division. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Edibility: The leaves are edible, however, should be soaked and boiled prior to consumption to reduce its bitter taste.

Storage & Preservation

Barrenwort is an ornamental ground cover and does not require post-harvest storage or preservation as it's grown for live garden display. For propagation purposes, collected seeds should be stored cool and dry (40-50°F, low humidity) in sealed containers for up to 1-2 years. Division of established plants works best in spring or fall. For transplanting bare-root divisions, keep roots moist and cool until planting, and store in humid conditions (60-70% humidity) for no more than 1-2 weeks. Established plants require no preservation methods as they remain perennial in the garden.

History & Origin

Origin: Asia and the Mediterranean

Advantages

+Edible: The leaves are edible, however, should be soaked and boiled prior to consumption to reduce its bitter taste.

Companion Plants

Hostas, Heuchera, and ferns work well here because they share the same basic requirements — partial shade, well-drained soil, and a pH between 5.5 and 7.0 — without crowding out a ground cover that spreads slowly in its first two years. Epimedium's shallow roots fill the gaps between clump-formers like Astilbe and Bleeding Heart rather than competing with them directly. Lungwort and Japanese Painted Fern add contrast at similar heights (6-12 inches) and handle the same dry-shade conditions once they're past establishment.

Mint belongs nowhere near this bed — it spreads by rhizome and will smother a slow-establishing ground cover before you've noticed the problem. Black walnut is a harder constraint: it releases juglone, a compound that interferes with respiration in the roots of susceptible plants, and Epimedium shows no particular tolerance for it. Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis) conflicts on a practical level too — it wants full sun and dry summer dormancy, the opposite of what this planting needs.

Plant Together

Hosta

Similar shade and moisture requirements, creates layered texture in woodland gardens

Heuchera

Compatible growing conditions, complementary foliage colors and textures

Astilbe

Thrives in same partial shade conditions, adds vertical interest above low-growing barrenwort

Ferns

Share preference for moist, well-draining soil and dappled shade

Lungwort

Similar cultural needs, both tolerate dry shade once established

Japanese Painted Fern

Complementary silver foliage contrasts beautifully with barrenwort's green leaves

Woodland Phlox

Both prefer partial shade and well-draining soil, bloom at different times

Bleeding Heart

Compatible moisture and light requirements, creates seasonal succession of blooms

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone which is toxic to many understory plants including barrenwort

Mint

Aggressive spreading nature can overwhelm and outcompete slow-growing barrenwort

Crown Imperial

Heavy feeder that depletes soil nutrients needed by barrenwort's delicate root system

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Excellent disease resistance, very hardy perennial

Common Pests

Vine weevils occasionally, generally pest-free

Diseases

Rarely affected by diseases

Troubleshooting Barrenwort

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Leaf edges ragged or scalloped, with silvery slime trails visible on foliage in the morning

Likely Causes

Vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) adult feeding at night
Slug or snail activity — common in the moist, shaded spots where Epimedium thrives

What to Do

1.Go out after dark with a flashlight and hand-pick vine weevils directly into soapy water
2.Apply iron phosphate bait (Sluggo) around the crown after rain — it's safer around wildlife than metaldehyde
3.Pull mulch back a few inches from the plant base; slugs shelter under it during the day

Leaves pale, yellowing, or showing scorched brown patches across the whole planting, not isolated to a single plant

Likely Causes

Too much direct sun — Epimedium wants 4-6 hours of partial shade, not full afternoon exposure
Juglone toxicity from nearby black walnut (Juglans nigra), which leaches the compound through roots and decomposing leaf litter into surrounding soil

What to Do

1.If the planting sits within the root zone of a black walnut — which can extend well past the drip line — relocate the Epimedium entirely; the damage won't reverse in place
2.Add shade cloth rated at 30-40% or move plants beneath a deciduous tree canopy to cut afternoon sun exposure
3.Top-dress with 1-2 inches of compost to buffer soil stress and encourage new root growth

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Barrenwort a good ground cover for beginners?▼

Yes, Barrenwort is excellent for beginners. It's rated as 'Easy' to grow, extremely long-lived, and low-maintenance once established. It's deer-resistant, generally pest-free with minimal issues, and thrives in shade where other plants struggle. Its low care requirements make it perfect for new gardeners.

Can you grow Barrenwort in containers?▼

Yes, Barrenwort can be grown in containers, though it performs best in garden beds where it can spread. Use well-draining, woodland soil mixed with organic matter in containers at least 12 inches deep. Container plants may need more frequent watering during dry periods and benefit from mulch to maintain moisture.

When should I plant Barrenwort?▼

Plant Barrenwort in spring or fall when temperatures are mild and soil moisture is naturally higher. Spring planting (after last frost) allows establishment through summer, while fall planting (6 weeks before first frost) lets roots settle over winter. Container plants can be planted year-round with extra watering care.

How long does it take Barrenwort to establish as a ground cover?▼

Barrenwort is relatively fast-establishing compared to other ground covers. Plants typically fill in their space within 1-2 years with proper spacing and watering. Once established, it forms dense, attractive foliage and becomes increasingly vigorous, making it a long-term investment in your garden.

Will Barrenwort work in deep shade?▼

While Barrenwort prefers partial shade (4-6 hours of sunlight), it can tolerate deep shade, though growth may be slower and flower production reduced. It won't thrive in full sun. For best results with vibrant spring flowers and colorful foliage changes, provide consistent partial shade and moist woodland soil.