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Epimedium (Barrenwort): Durable Ground Cover for Dry Shade

Four-Season Interest

Epimedium (ep-ih-MEE-dee-um) delivers airy April–May flowers on wiry stems, bronzy new foliage, and a dense, weed-suppressing mat that spreads 4–6 inches yearly. Also called bishop’s hat for its curious flower shape.

Planting & Care

Light: Part to full shade.
Soil: Loamy, rich in organic matter.
Spacing: 12–15 inches apart.
Moisture: Prefers moist but tolerates dry shade once established.
Companions: Hostas, ferns, primulas, sweet woodruff (Galium).

No serious pests or diseases; truly a plant-and-forget ground cover.

About Garden: Grass Won't Grow Under Large Maple: Accept Shade Reality; Growing Aconitum (Monkshood): Shade-Loving, Poisonous Beauty; Growing Actaea: Woodland Perennial with Red Berries; Growing Astilbe (False Spirea); Growing Mertensia (Virginia Bluebells): Ephemeral Woodland Beauty; Growing Cimicifuga (Bugbane) – Shade-Loving Perennial; Growing Corydalis – Shade-Loving Perennial; Growing Liriope (Lilyturf): Tough Evergreen Ground Cover; Growing Lobelia: Moisture-Loving Annual for Sun or Shade; Pulmonaria (Lungwort): Early Spring Blooms & Silver-Spotted Foliage for Shade

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