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Barrenwort (Epimedium)
Also known as : Horny goat weed, Bishop's hat
Barrenwort are hardy perennials that grow from an underground rhizome and have spider-like flowers. Many species as well as numerous cultivars and hybrids are grown as ornamentals; some have even gained the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by the British Royal Horticultural Society. The majority of barrenwort are endemic to China. 
Lifespan
Perennial
Key Facts About Barrenwort
Feedback
Attributes of Barrenwort
Plant Height
20 cm to 25 cm
Spread
30 cm to 45 cm
Leaf type
Semi-evergreen
Scientific Classification of Barrenwort
Distribution of Barrenwort
Feedback
Distribution Map of Barrenwort
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Barrenwort
Feedback
Barrenwort is a low-maintenance plant genus often favored for ground cover, with care needs primarily involving suitable light, water, and temperature conditions. They prefer partial to full shade, moderate watering, and thrive well in cooler climates. Well-drained, compost-rich soil brings out their best growth. Common challenges include susceptibility to pests like aphids and snails, occasional incidences of mildew and leaf spot, with winter winds potentially causing leaf damage. Seasonal considerations involve less watering in winter and early spring pruning to allow for unobstructed new growth.
How to Water Barrenwort?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Barrenwort?
How to Plant Barrenwort?
Exploring the Barrenwort Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Korean barrenwort
Korean barrenwort is a hardy perennial that grows in Korea and Japan. The plant's yellow, spider-like blossoms make it an outstanding ornamental. The korean barrenwort's yellow flowers distinguish it from Epimedium grandiflorum, which has white to purple flowers.
Horny Goat Weed
Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium sagittatum) is a rather unassuming perennial with compact growth, but be warned! Under those leaves lay wicked spines that can easily puncture the skin. The Epimedium sagittatum has been cultivated into beautiful varieties for over 150 years and is one of the best groundcovers for shady areas. Originally from China, it is now found globally.
Bishop's mitre
Bishop's mitre is a plant gardeners love to cultivate for its showy spring flowers and changing foliage. Interestingly, its leaves turn from brown to green as they mature, the opposite of most other plants. This plant is sometimes called "fairy wings" for its pink and rose-colored flowers that look as delicate as the mythical creatures.
Barrenwort
Barrenwort, commonly referred to as alpine barrenwort, is a perennial herb showcasing heart-shaped leaves and dainty, spurred flowers typically ranging in hues from white to mauve. This woodland native thrives in the dappled shade, with its foliage often taking on a bronze tint in cooler temperatures, a testament to its resilience and adaptability to its forest floor habitat.
Barrenwort
Epimedium pinnatum is a species of flowering plant in the barberry family Berberidaceae, native to northern Iran. It is a slowly-spreading evergreen perennial growing to 30 cm tall and broad, with oval hairy leaves and bright yellow spurred flowers in late spring and early summer. The Latin specific epithet pinnatum means “with leaves growing on either side of the stalk”. The subspecies Epimedium pinnatum subspecies colchicum has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. It is best grown in moist, fertile soil in a sheltered, partially-shaded spot, and is suitable for underplanting larger plants such as roses.
Epimedium grandiflorum 'Rose Queen'
Epimedium grandiflorum 'Rose Queen' is recognized by its eye-catching, rose-colored flowers with long, elegant spurs, blooming profusely in spring. Heart-shaped leaves emerge with a reddish tint before turning green, offering a striking backdrop. This shade-loving perennial thrives under trees, adapting well to the dappled light and enriching the woodland garden's understory with its delicate charm.
Barrenwort 'Fröhnleiten'
Barrenwort 'Fröhnleiten' is a compact variety of barrenwort that grows to a maximum height of 30 cm. The variety is also notable for the bright yellow color of its blooms. The flowers also tend to appear higher on the plant than they do on other varieties. Barrenwort 'Fröhnleiten' has distinct foliage that is green accented by red along the edges that creeps toward the center. Its name reflects the variety's German heritage.
Epimedium grandiflorum 'Pink Champagne'
The epimedium grandiflorum 'Pink Champagne' variety of Epimedium is noted for its bronze-red foliage and pink flowers that hang from the plant and that will rebloom if healthy. Gardeners like to use epimedium grandiflorum 'Pink Champagne' as groundcover and because it does so well in shady conditions.
All Species of Barrenwort
Korean barrenwort
Korean barrenwort
Korean barrenwort is a hardy perennial that grows in Korea and Japan. The plant's yellow, spider-like blossoms make it an outstanding ornamental. The korean barrenwort's yellow flowers distinguish it from Epimedium grandiflorum, which has white to purple flowers.
Horny Goat Weed
Horny Goat Weed
Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium sagittatum) is a rather unassuming perennial with compact growth, but be warned! Under those leaves lay wicked spines that can easily puncture the skin. The Epimedium sagittatum has been cultivated into beautiful varieties for over 150 years and is one of the best groundcovers for shady areas. Originally from China, it is now found globally.
Bishop's mitre
Bishop's mitre
Bishop's mitre is a plant gardeners love to cultivate for its showy spring flowers and changing foliage. Interestingly, its leaves turn from brown to green as they mature, the opposite of most other plants. This plant is sometimes called "fairy wings" for its pink and rose-colored flowers that look as delicate as the mythical creatures.
Barrenwort
Barrenwort
Barrenwort, commonly referred to as alpine barrenwort, is a perennial herb showcasing heart-shaped leaves and dainty, spurred flowers typically ranging in hues from white to mauve. This woodland native thrives in the dappled shade, with its foliage often taking on a bronze tint in cooler temperatures, a testament to its resilience and adaptability to its forest floor habitat.
Barrenwort
Barrenwort
Epimedium pinnatum is a species of flowering plant in the barberry family Berberidaceae, native to northern Iran. It is a slowly-spreading evergreen perennial growing to 30 cm tall and broad, with oval hairy leaves and bright yellow spurred flowers in late spring and early summer. The Latin specific epithet pinnatum means “with leaves growing on either side of the stalk”. The subspecies Epimedium pinnatum subspecies colchicum has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. It is best grown in moist, fertile soil in a sheltered, partially-shaded spot, and is suitable for underplanting larger plants such as roses.
Epimedium grandiflorum 'Rose Queen'
Epimedium grandiflorum 'Rose Queen'
Epimedium grandiflorum 'Rose Queen' is recognized by its eye-catching, rose-colored flowers with long, elegant spurs, blooming profusely in spring. Heart-shaped leaves emerge with a reddish tint before turning green, offering a striking backdrop. This shade-loving perennial thrives under trees, adapting well to the dappled light and enriching the woodland garden's understory with its delicate charm.
Barrenwort 'Fröhnleiten'
Barrenwort 'Fröhnleiten'
Barrenwort 'Fröhnleiten' is a compact variety of barrenwort that grows to a maximum height of 30 cm. The variety is also notable for the bright yellow color of its blooms. The flowers also tend to appear higher on the plant than they do on other varieties. Barrenwort 'Fröhnleiten' has distinct foliage that is green accented by red along the edges that creeps toward the center. Its name reflects the variety's German heritage.
Epimedium grandiflorum 'Pink Champagne'
Epimedium grandiflorum 'Pink Champagne'
The epimedium grandiflorum 'Pink Champagne' variety of Epimedium is noted for its bronze-red foliage and pink flowers that hang from the plant and that will rebloom if healthy. Gardeners like to use epimedium grandiflorum 'Pink Champagne' as groundcover and because it does so well in shady conditions.
Large flowered barrenwort
Large flowered barrenwort
With numerous cultivars available on the market, large flowered barrenwort makes for a wonderful ornamental plant. This low-growing perennial is prized for both its flowers and attractive foliage, but it's also regarded as one of the best plants for shade. Its flowers also attract bees.
Barrenwort 'Amber Queen'
Barrenwort 'Amber Queen'
This long-living, profusely blooming variant is uniquely brilliant for its colors and foliage. Hybridized from other barrenwort varieties, barrenwort 'Amber Queen' got its name literally for its beautiful colors and elegant shape. Barrenwort 'Amber Queen' is admired for its "dancing" amber blooms, bright and long-lasting foliage, and resistance to disease.
Epimedium grandiflorum 'Lilafee'
Epimedium grandiflorum 'Lilafee'
Epimedium grandiflorum 'Lilafee' is a large-flowered Barrenwort cultivar, selected to bear long-spurred, lavender-violet flowers that stand above the attractive medium green foliage. This cultivar is smaller than most Epimedium grandiflorum cultivars; the more compact shape makes this cultivar very desirable among gardeners.
Epimedium grandiflorum 'White Queen'
Epimedium grandiflorum 'White Queen'
Intensely hardy, the epimedium grandiflorum 'White Queen' performs as a great ground cover. Its parentage and the meaning behind its name are unknown; however, it's name may have derived from the white flowers that distinguish it from other plants. The epimedium grandiflorum 'White Queen' is a recipient of the Award of Garden Merit and a valuable option for a clump-forming ground cover that will bloom in the spring.
Barrenwort 'Suiphureum'
Barrenwort 'Suiphureum'
A cross between the large-flowered barrenwort (E. grandiflorum) and the bishop's hat (E. pinnatum), barrenwort 'Suiphureum' is a semi-evergreen or evergreen cultivar distinguished by its heart-shaped, brown leaves with green veins. The cultivar's name comes from the color of its flowers; in Latin, "sulphureum" means "pale yellow".
Barrenwort 'Niveum'
Barrenwort 'Niveum'
'Niveum' means 'snow' in Latin, and that's an appropriate name for barrenwort 'Niveum' since it has snow-white flowers. This all-white flower color is unusual in barrenworts. Gardeners prize this low-growing rhizomatous plant for ground cover and its spring-blooming flowers.
Epimedium davidii
Epimedium davidii
Epimedium davidii flourishes in shady undergrowth, unfurling heart-shaped leaves that transition from red-tinged to lush green. In the chill of early spring, clusters of small, star-shaped, yellow flowers suspended on slender stems emerge above the foliage, signaling the season's change. Epimedium davidii is resilient, adapting well to cooler climates and lending a subtle grace to woodland garden spaces.
Epimedium franchetii
Epimedium franchetii
Epimedium franchetii are hardy perennials that grow from an underground rhizome and have spider-like flowers. Many species as well as numerous cultivars and hybrids are grown as ornamentals; some have even gained the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by the British Royal Horticultural Society. The majority of epimedium franchetii are endemic to China.
Epimedium sempervirens
Epimedium sempervirens
Epimedium sempervirens originally comes from Honshu, Japan and Korea. You will find that this pretty perennial forms clumps over time, slowly spreading through the garden. It especially thrives in shady gardens. It’s also known as bishop’s hat or barrenwort.
Epimedium diphyllum
Epimedium diphyllum
Epimedium diphyllum is a shade-loving perennial with heart-shaped, dual-lobed leaves that provide a lush ground cover in woodland settings. In the spring, epimedium diphyllum sprouts delicate, nodding white flowers on wiry stems, injecting ephemeral beauty beneath canopy layers. The plant establishes resilience through spreading rhizomes, adapting well in the humus-rich soil of its natural understory habitat.
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Barrenwort
Epimedium
Also known as: Horny goat weed, Bishop's hat
Barrenwort are hardy perennials that grow from an underground rhizome and have spider-like flowers. Many species as well as numerous cultivars and hybrids are grown as ornamentals; some have even gained the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by the British Royal Horticultural Society. The majority of barrenwort are endemic to China.
Lifespan
Perennial
Key Facts About Barrenwort
Feedback
Attributes of Barrenwort
Plant Height
20 cm to 25 cm
Spread
30 cm to 45 cm
Leaf type
Semi-evergreen
Scientific Classification of Barrenwort
Distribution of Barrenwort
Feedback
Distribution Map of Barrenwort
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Barrenwort
Feedback
Barrenwort is a low-maintenance plant genus often favored for ground cover, with care needs primarily involving suitable light, water, and temperature conditions. They prefer partial to full shade, moderate watering, and thrive well in cooler climates. Well-drained, compost-rich soil brings out their best growth. Common challenges include susceptibility to pests like aphids and snails, occasional incidences of mildew and leaf spot, with winter winds potentially causing leaf damage. Seasonal considerations involve less watering in winter and early spring pruning to allow for unobstructed new growth.
How to Water Barrenwort?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Barrenwort?
How to Plant Barrenwort?
Exploring the Barrenwort Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Korean barrenwort
Korean barrenwort is a hardy perennial that grows in Korea and Japan. The plant's yellow, spider-like blossoms make it an outstanding ornamental. The korean barrenwort's yellow flowers distinguish it from Epimedium grandiflorum, which has white to purple flowers.
Horny Goat Weed
Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium sagittatum) is a rather unassuming perennial with compact growth, but be warned! Under those leaves lay wicked spines that can easily puncture the skin. The Epimedium sagittatum has been cultivated into beautiful varieties for over 150 years and is one of the best groundcovers for shady areas. Originally from China, it is now found globally.
Bishop's mitre
Bishop's mitre is a plant gardeners love to cultivate for its showy spring flowers and changing foliage. Interestingly, its leaves turn from brown to green as they mature, the opposite of most other plants. This plant is sometimes called "fairy wings" for its pink and rose-colored flowers that look as delicate as the mythical creatures.
Barrenwort
Barrenwort, commonly referred to as alpine barrenwort, is a perennial herb showcasing heart-shaped leaves and dainty, spurred flowers typically ranging in hues from white to mauve. This woodland native thrives in the dappled shade, with its foliage often taking on a bronze tint in cooler temperatures, a testament to its resilience and adaptability to its forest floor habitat.
Show More Species
All Species of Barrenwort
Korean barrenwort
Horny Goat Weed
Bishop's mitre
Barrenwort
Barrenwort
Epimedium grandiflorum 'Rose Queen'
Barrenwort 'Fröhnleiten'
Epimedium grandiflorum 'Pink Champagne'
Large flowered barrenwort
Barrenwort 'Amber Queen'
Epimedium grandiflorum 'Lilafee'
Epimedium grandiflorum 'White Queen'
Barrenwort 'Suiphureum'
Barrenwort 'Niveum'
Epimedium davidii
Epimedium franchetii
Epimedium sempervirens
Epimedium diphyllum
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
