Barrenwort

Barrenwort  (Epimedium)

Barrenwort (Epimedium) is a genus of strong perennials for in the (half)shade. In spring, the flowers float like fairies above the foliage. To see this properly you can cut away the old leaves before the new flower stems appear. Barrenwort is also nice to keep just for its foliage. Some species have bronze to red colours, others have nicely coloured foliage throughout the winter. Barrenwort is quite drought tolerant and is a good ground cover. The best ones for covering a dry area are Epimedium perralchicum 'Frohnleiten' and Epimedium rubrum. Barrenwort combine well with low growing ferns, Great Forget-me-not (Brunnera) and Lungwort (Pulmonaria).