Barrenwort Epimedium × cantabrigiense
ABOUT
The plant known as Bishop's Hat features heart-shaped leaves that often exhibit a bronzy-red coloring as they emerge, transitioning to a lush green as they mature. Throughout the growing season, the foliage can further change, displaying tints of reddish-bronze in the fall, adding to the plant's ornamental appeal. The delicate, nodding flowers borne on this plant come in an array of colors, primarily pastel hues such as soft yellow, pink, lavender, and white. These blooms are small yet intricate, composed of a central cup surrounded by larger, often spade-shaped petals that give a graceful, airy appearance above the foliage. Additionally, its flowering stems bear a loose spray of blossoms, which dance above the leaves on slender stems and stand out attractively in a spring garden setting. Bishop's Hat is also appreciated for its low-growing, clump-forming habit, making it an excellent ground cover that provides a charming and colorful carpet in partial to full shade environments. Its interesting foliage and dainty flowers contribute to its popularity in shady garden areas where it can soften edges and provide visual interest.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Berberidaceae
Synonyms
Cambridge Barrenwort, Cambridge Fairy Wings, Cantabrigian Fairies
Common names
Epimedium × cantabrigiense
ToxicityTo humans
Bishop's hat, the most common name for Epimedium × cantabrigiense, is not known to be toxic to humans. Therefore, accidental ingestion of parts of this plant is not expected to lead to poisoning or cause harmful symptoms.
To pets
Bishop's hat is also not known to be toxic to pets. As with humans, ingestion of this plant is not expected to cause poisoning or adverse health effects in animals such as dogs and cats. However, it is always best practice to prevent pets from eating plants, as individual reactions can vary and other non-toxicity-related health issues from plant ingestion can occur.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Semi-deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
1 foot (0.3 meters)
Spread
1 foot (0.3 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Ground cover: Epimedium × cantabrigiense, commonly known as Barrenwort, is effective in providing ground cover, thereby reducing soil erosion and suppressing weed growth.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, Barrenwort is known for its ability to tolerate periods of drought, making it a suitable plant for xeriscaping and low-water gardens.
- Shade tolerance: Barrenwort can thrive in shaded areas where many other plants struggle, making it an excellent option for underplanting in woodland gardens.
- Attracting wildlife: The flowers of Barrenwort can attract pollinators to the garden, such as bees, which are essential for the pollination of many other plants.
- Seasonal interest: With its delicate flowers in the spring and attractive foliage that often changes color in the fall, Barrenwort adds seasonal interest to gardens.
- Low maintenance: Barrenwort requires minimal care once established, needing little to no fertilization and being relatively free of pests and diseases.
- Creative landscapes: Its unique leaf shape and texture, alongside its graceful flowers, make Barrenwort a pleasing aesthetic addition to creative landscape designs.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Ground Cover: Bishop's hat can serve as an effective ground cover in shady areas due to its dense growth habit and tolerance for low light conditions.
- Wildlife Habitat: The dense foliage of Bishop's hat can provide shelter for small wildlife, including beneficial insects and small mammals.
- Bank Stabilization: The robust root system of Bishop's hat helps to prevent soil erosion on sloped ground, making it useful for hillside stabilization.
- Ornamental Uses: Due to its attractive foliage and delicate flowers, Bishop's hat is often used as an ornamental plant in garden borders and woodland settings.
- Theme Gardens: Bishop's hat can be incorporated into Asian-themed gardens owing to its origins, adding authenticity to the design.
- Fairy Gardens: This plant’s small stature and enchanting flowers make it a popular choice for whimsical fairy gardens.
- Seasonal Interest: Providing early spring flowers, Bishop's hat offers visual interest in gardens during a time when few other plants are in bloom.
- Dye Production: The foliage and flowers of Bishop's hat can potentially be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, although this is not a common application.
- Companion Planting: When grown alongside other shade-loving species, Bishop's hat can complement the overall aesthetic and biodiversity of a planting scheme.
- Educational Tool: Bishop's hat can be used in educational botanical gardens or programs to teach about plant reproduction, particularly the process of hybridization.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Bishop's hat is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Bishop's hat is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Love & Attraction: Epimedium, commonly known as Bishop's Hat, is often associated with love and attraction, potentially due to its aphrodisiac properties in traditional medicine.
- Vitality & Longevity: The plant's resilience and capacity to thrive in various conditions symbolize vitality and the ability to endure, reflecting a long and healthy life.
- Protection: Bishop's Hat is also seen as a protective symbol, as the plant forms dense mats that cover and protect the ground, suggesting shelter and safety.
WaterFor Cambridge barrenwort, water regularly to maintain moist but not waterlogged soil, especially during the growing season in spring and early summer. It is best to water deeply once a week, providing about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water for each plant, depending on the soil and weather conditions. Reduce watering in the winter when the plant is dormant. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between watering sessions to prevent root rot.
LightCambridge barrenwort thrives in partial to full shade, making it well-suited for woodland gardens or shaded borders. It prefers a spot that receives filtered sunlight or morning sun and afternoon shade to protect its delicate foliage from the harsh midday sun.
TemperatureCambridge barrenwort is hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but it grows best when the temperature is between 50°F and 75°F. It can survive minimum winter temperatures down to -20°F and is generally heat-tolerant up to 85°F, but it appreciates cooler summer temperatures.
PruningPruning Cambridge barrenwort is mostly done to remove old, damaged, or discolored foliage and to promote fresh growth. It's best to prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Cutting back the plant every few years also encourages rejuvenation and denser foliage.
CleaningAs needed
SoilCambridge Fairy Bells prefer moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter; a mix of garden soil, peat moss, and perlite works well. Maintain a soil pH of around 6.0 to 7.0.
RepottingCambridge Fairy Bells do not require frequent repotting and can be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it's visibly rootbound.
Humidity & MistingCambridge Fairy Bells thrive in moderate to high humidity levels but are quite adaptable to less humid conditions if not too dry.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Cambridge Fairy Bells in bright, indirect light indoors.
Outdoor
Plant in dappled shade and shelter Cambridge Fairy Bells from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleEpimedium × cantabrigiense, commonly known as Cambridgeshire Barrenwort, initiates its life cycle as a dormant rhizome, which germinates in early spring presenting heart-shaped leaflets and small flowers in shades of yellow and red. The foliage emerges after flowering, providing a dense mat of leaves that serve as ground cover throughout the growing season. As an herbaceous perennial, it enters a period of dormancy in late autumn when the leaves die back after turning a bronze-purple color in response to cooler temperatures. Over winter, the plant remains dormant, conserving energy within the rhizome. With the return of warmer weather in spring, Cambridgeshire Barrenwort resumes growth, completing its life cycle annually. The plant can propagate either by division of the rhizomes or by seed, slowly forming clumps that expand in size each year.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
The garden perennial known as Bishop's Hat (Epimedium × cantabrigiense) can be propagated effectively through division, which is its most popular method. This method is best performed in the spring or fall when the plant is not in active growth. To propagate by division, carefully dig up an established clump and use a sharp knife or spade to divide the root system into smaller sections, ensuring each section has at least a couple of healthy shoots or buds. Replant the divisions at the same depth they were growing at previously, spacing them approximately 12 inches (30 cm) apart to allow room for growth. Water the new divisions well to help establish them. Division helps to rejuvenate older clumps, encourages more vigorous growth, and is an easy way to increase the number of plants in your garden.
