Barrenwort

Epimedium acuminatum | Also known as: Fairy wings, Bishop's hat | Rating: 0 votes | Print / Pdf

A native of Asia, Epimedium acuminatum or barrenwort is an easy plant to grow, great for beginners. It has delicate flowers and evergreen foliage, the leaves are arrow shaped. The flowers are a creamy white and pinkish purple colour with long curved spurs. It's a fairly hardy plant, it's good for ground cover and it grows well in the shade. It won't need too much looking after, just remove the dead leaves to keep it looking at its best. It likes moist light soil with good drainage.

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Plant
Known dangers?
  • no
Height [m]
  • 0.3
Spread [m]
  • 0.45
Dominant flower colour
  • Purple
Flower Fragrance
  • No, neutral please
Flowering seasons
  • Mid spring
  • Late spring
  • Early summer
Foliage in spring
  • Green
Foliage in summer
  • Green
Foliage in Autumn
  • Green
Foliage in winter
  • Green
Propagation methods
  • seed
  • division
  • rhizome cuttings
Growth habit
  • Clump-forming
Environment
Acidity
  • Acidic
  • Neutral
Hardiness zone
  • Z5-9
Heat zone
  • H9-4
Winter temperatures [°C]
  • -29 - -1
Heat days
  • 14 - 150
Moisture
  • well-drained but frequently watered
Soil type
  • Clay
  • loams
Sun requirements
  • Partial shade
Exposure
  • Sheltered
Usage
Standard category
  • Flowers & bulbs
  • Perennials
Grown for
  • Attractive Flowers
Creative category
  • For Beginners
  • We love the dark
  • Colours
  • For every season
  • Tough survivors
Garden type
  • Woodland
  • Rock garden
Garden spaces
  • Underplanting
  • Borders
Gardening expertise
  • beginner
Time to reach full size
  • 2 to 5 years
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