Introducing...
Epimedium
Epimediums are valued for both their foliage and flowers, making useful groundcover in dappled or deep shade. The heart-shaped leaves provide texture and varying colours through the seasons, while the dainty, star-like flowers add extra interest in spring.
Looks
Epimediums are low-growing, deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen plants with heart-shaped leaves that may be tinted or veined with red or bronze hues. In spring, small, dainty, star-like flowers, in a choice of colours, hang from slender branched stems.
Likes
Epimediums do well in a sheltered, shady or partially shaded location. Some need a moist but not waterlogged soil, while others are happy in drier conditions.
Dislikes
Most epimediums won’t grow well in open, sunny sites, especially with dry soil.
Did you know?
Epimediums may not be bold and showy, but they have a delicate, demure charm that belies their resilience. Particularly prized are those that can thrive in dry shade under trees, such as yellow-flowered Epimedium x versicolor ‘Sulphureum’.
Growing guide
How to grow Epimedium
All the information you'll need to grow and care for epimediums can be found in the RHS guide to growing perennials.
Epimedium we recommend
Epimedium franchetii 'Brimstone Butterfly'
barrenwort 'Brimstone Butterfly'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Epimedium 'Amber Queen'PBR
barrenwort 'Amber Queen'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Epimedium × perralchicum 'Fröhnleiten'
barrenwort 'Fröhnleiten'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Epimedium franchetii 'Brimstone Butterfly'
barrenwort 'Brimstone Butterfly'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Epimedium 'Amber Queen'PBR
barrenwort 'Amber Queen'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Epimedium × perralchicum 'Fröhnleiten'
barrenwort 'Fröhnleiten'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Useful advice
Perennial borders: choosing plants
Shade gardening
Shade planting: annuals, bulbs and perennials
Shade planting: shrubs
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.