Ooh, Alpine Barrenwort. Good pick, gardener.

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Alpine Barrenwort

Epimedium alpinum

Zones 2–13

Growing

This charming perennial is a wonderful choice for creating a lush, low mat in shady corners or as a way to fill the gaps between pavers. Because it spreads via rhizomes and runners, it works beautifully as a lawn alternative, though you should avoid placing it in areas with foot traffic, as the delicate foliage can be damaged easily. It is particularly effective at suppressing weeds and can thrive in the dry shade found under trees.

When establishing your plants, ensure the site has excellent drainage. While this species enjoys regular watering, it is highly susceptible to root rot if the soil remains waterlogged. If your garden has a history of poor drainage, consider planting in raised beds to keep the root zone aerated. To help the plant establish a thick, weed-suppressing carpet, maintain good weed control around the young plants, as competing vegetation can interfere with their slow spread.

If you are propagating your collection, you can expand your groundcover by using division. When the plants are mature, you can also enjoy their delicate, spider-like flowers that emerge in the spring. Since this plant is a slow spreader, be patient as it gradually fills in your landscape.

Stats
Sunpart sun
Watermedium
Grow time—
Height<1ft
Spacing6–12in
Light
Full sun✗
Part shade✓
Shade✓
Traits
Life cycleperennial
Categorycreeping perennial
Growth habitground cover
Frost tolerancehardy
Heightunder 1ft
Spacing6–12in
Native us✗
Growing
Watermedium
Drainagewell drained
Soil ph min5.5
Soil ph max7.0
Propagation
Seed✗
Cutting✗
Division✓
Graft✗
Tuber bulb crown✗
Transplant✓
Container ok✓
Spreadrunners
Deer resistant✓
Drought tolerant✓
Toxic to
People—
Pets—
Livestock—
Bloom
Length2–6wk
Colors
White✗
Yellow✗
Orange✗
Red✗
Pink✗
Purple✗
Blue✗
Green✗
Cover
Mat height6–12in
Spread rateslow
Foot trafficnone
Evergreen—
Lawn alternative✓
Mowable✗
Between pavers✓
Erosion control✗
Weed suppression✓
Under trees✓
Invasive
Statusnone
Regions
Northeast✗
Southeast✗
Midwest✗
Plains✗
Southwest✗
Mountain west✗
Pacific northwest✗
California✗
Hawaii✗
State noxious✗
Escapes cultivation✗
Calendar, zone 7
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sownonoyesyesyesnonononononono
Harvest————————————