Epimedium ecalcaratum

RHS Plant Profile
spurless barrenwort
spurless barrenwort RHS
Herbaceous Perennial

A clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial 30-65cm high, with evergreen pinnate leaves of three, five or seven ovate or almost rounded, spiny-edged leaflets, each 1.5-4cm long, which emerge green and light bronze and mature to bright green, and long, dark red stems, held well above the leaves, carrying spurless, bell-shaped, bright yellow flowers, each up to 1cm across and with tiny dark bronze-red sepals, from mid-spring to late spring; Epimedium leaves may be used for their nests by leaf-cutting bees

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Berberidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Epimedium are rhizomatous perennials with evergreen or deciduous, ternately or pinnately divided leaves, and open sprays of small, bowl-shaped flowers, often with prominent spurs, in mid to late spring
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
W China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade, with shelter from cold, drying winds; where frosts are prolonged or severe, spread an organic mulch such as leaf mould or composted bark to protect plants over winter

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as they are ripe in late summer; by division in autumn or after flowering; or by root cuttings of rhizomes, kept under glass in winter, and planted out after all danger of frost has passed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover
  • Garden edging
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required, but cutting back in late winter or early spring, before flower spikes form, will improve appearance

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to mosaic virus diseases and fungal leaf spots