Barrenwort - A Tiny Gem
If I
had to pick one plant for a woodland garden it would be Barrenwort
(Epimedium), known to some as Bishop's Hat. I buy every single variety
of it I can find. Unlike a lot of spring woodland plants, Barrenwort
keeps its leaves all summer and some even keep them through the winter.
I read that some varieties grow to 12 inches but all the ones I have
are about 6 inches tall. There are over 40 species of Epimedium and I
only have a half dozen or so.
I could see where this plant would inspire storytellers to write about fairies. The tiny little cup shaped, spurred flowers remind me of itty-bitty orchids. I can just imagine the blooms as little hats on tiny little fairy heads. Fairies could peak out from under heart shaped leaves, some which are tinged in a reddish copper color. The fragile looking blooms come in white, yellow, pinks, reds and a coppery orange.
Epimedium blooms in the April/May timeframe and will grow from zone 4 through 8.
This delicate looking plant is actually
very tough.In my garden it tolerates very dry shade. The first
clump I put in three years ago had about doubled (and I had even shared
some of it with a friend), but it is very slow to fill an area.
Cut the leaves back in early spring before the blooms come
up. This is a good plant to pair up with
primroses and ferns.
Epimediums are native to Asia and Europe. There were used in traditional Chinese
medicine for impotence (ah, that's how it got it's name) and to
treat various hormonal issues. The list of uses for this plant
over the centuries is quite extensive and there are some commercial preparations that use this plant today. NOTE: This plant should only be used by professionals for medical purposes! The rest of us just need to appreciate its many other attributes.
This member of the barberry family can be somewhat pricey but I think worth every penny. One source to consider is Heronswood. Don Hinkley, the proprietor has made several trips to China to collect various varieties. It can also be found at some of the nicer local nurseries. Better yet, find a friend who has it and see if they are willing to share.
Epimediums are relatively disease and pest free (I've never noticed a chewed leaf). You should add lots of organic matter when planting and make sure to keep it watered for the first year until it is established. All I do is top dress with compost as mulch a couple of times a year. If the blooms or leaf size gets smaller you should divide your plant - taking time to improve the soil at this time. It is very easy to share since it spreads by underground rhizomes.
Why
more people don't plant this easy to grow plant is beyond me. I
recommend it on a regular basis to friends, family and
clients. Perhaps it's because it is slow to "take off" but as
the old saying goes, "Good things come to those who wait"!