Barrenwort
Barrenwort 'Sulphureum' with its red-tinged young leaves and yellow spring flowers.
* Common name: Barrenwort
* Botanical name: Epimedium
* What it is: Grossly under-used, trouble-free perennial flower with heart-shaped leaves (often reddish-bronze or rose-tinged when young) and dainty, hanging, bell-shaped April flowers. Some especially nice ones are ‘Neosulphureum,’ ‘Suphureum,’ ‘Frohnleiten’ and Epimedium x rubrum.
* Size: 12 inches tall, 2-foot spread
* Where to use: Superb as flowering groundcover under trees or massed in the front of a shady border garden.
* Care: Trim off browned-out foliage anytime from late fall to early spring. That’s it. Division, spraying and fertilizer usually not needed, but if you feel better, scatter Flower-tone or a similar balanced, long-acting fertilizer over the bed in early spring.
* Great partner: Liriope or any dark-leafed coralbells pair well. Any shade tree is a perfect big brother.
Barrenwort massed as a groundcover.