Advanced
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Epimedium x rubrum (Red barrenwort)
2 hours care
per year
per year
0.3m
Max height
Max height
0.3m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Epimedium x rubrum
Other names
Red barrenwort, Epimedium alpinum 'Rubrum' , Epimedium rubrum
Genus
Epimedium Epimedium
Species
E. x rubrum - E. x rubrum is a herbaceous perennial with heart-shaped leaves and red and yellow flowers in spring held on wiry stems. Its leaves emerge red-tinted, age to green, then become flushed auburn in autumn.
Epimedium x rubrum is: Deciduous
Habit
Mat Forming
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Red, Yellow in Spring
Foliage
Flushed red in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Reddish-brown in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Slugs , Vine weevil Slugs , Vine weevil
General care
Pruning
Remove foliage, even if green, in the winter so as to enable the arrival of the new leaves and flowers in spring. Keep tidy, removing old or dead foliage and flower stems by the end of autumn.
Propagation
Do in spring or autumn.
Propagation methods
Division
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Epimedium x rubrum (Red barrenwort) will reach a height of 0.3m and a spread of 0.3m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Ground Cover, Woodland, Banks and Slopes, Rock
Cultivation
Heavily enrich soil pre-planting with organic matter and regularly after that. Prefers part-shade and shelter from cold, drying winds. Can tolerate some sun if soil is kept moist. In spring apply slow-release fertiliser.
Soil type
Loamy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Epimedium x rubrum
Other names
Red barrenwort, Epimedium alpinum 'Rubrum' , Epimedium rubrum
Genus
Epimedium Epimedium
Species
E. x rubrum - E. x rubrum is a herbaceous perennial with heart-shaped leaves and red and yellow flowers in spring held on wiry stems. Its leaves emerge red-tinted, age to green, then become flushed auburn in autumn.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Mat Forming
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Red, Yellow in Spring
Foliage
Flushed red in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Reddish-brown in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
General care
Pruning
Remove foliage, even if green, in the winter so as to enable the arrival of the new leaves and flowers in spring. Keep tidy, removing old or dead foliage and flower stems by the end of autumn.
Propagation
Do in spring or autumn.
Propagation methods
Division
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Epimedium x rubrum (Red barrenwort) will reach a height of 0.3m and a spread of 0.3m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Ground Cover, Woodland, Banks and Slopes, Rock
Cultivation
Heavily enrich soil pre-planting with organic matter and regularly after that. Prefers part-shade and shelter from cold, drying winds. Can tolerate some sun if soil is kept moist. In spring apply slow-release fertiliser.
Soil type
Loamy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
From creation to relocation, the 'Believe in Tomorrow' garden’s mission, by garden designer Seonaid Royall, is to encourage more children to get outdoors and engage with… read more
B&Q returns to the RHS Flower Show calendar, having teamed up with award-winning garden designer Matthew Childs to create a show garden at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower show named the… read more
This garden by Chris Beardshaw reflects Morgan Stanley’s longstanding commitment to the wellbeing of children. read more
The Jo Whiley Scent Garden is designed by Tamara Bridge, 2015 RHS Young Designer of the Year, and Kate Savill. The Garden is one the ‘BBC Radio 2 Feel Good Gardens’ at the 2017 RHS… read more
By Blackheath based garden designer Catherine Clancy MSGD.This long thin West London garden had lots of lovely mature trees providing a good structure, but a lot shade. read more
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login
DISCUSS THIS PLANT
This plant is featured at Chelsea Flower Show 2009
There is 1 active discussion about Epimedium x rubrum (Red barrenwort)
View all discussions