Bishop's Hat is a group of herbaceous rhizomatous perennials in the barberry family. Commonly called Bishop's Hat or Barrenwort, the genus name is of unclear origin and meaning, however it has been suggested that the common name has been derived by the belief that the roots from the plant cause women to become barren. Most species are native to China but there are some that are native to the Mediterranean areas. This plant has been cultivated and hybridized for over 150 years and includes up to 58 species. It can be grown in many locations where other plants would not survive. Deep shade and drought conditions are not an issue for established plants. Its shallow roots can even compete with the roots from surrounding trees without suffering any consequences. The species has small, charming, four-pointed flowers that can come in shades of red, pink, white, and yellow, blooming between May and June. Although considered frost-tolerant, early blooms can be damaged by late frost. Habits include mounding and spreading. With some deciduous varieties, flowers can bloom before the foliage open in the spring. In general, the Asian varieties are deciduous and the Mediterranean ones are evergreen to semi-evergreen. There are many hybrids and cultivars to choose from. Division should be accomplished every 3 to 4 years to ensure that the plant maintains it vigor. Most Epimediums prefer shade to part shade in moist but well-drained fertile soils. Use these plants as a ground cover in the shade or woodland garden. In northern areas, they can tolerate more sun but will need more water in the summer. Propagation is best done in late summer by division. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Slugs, vine weevils and the mosaic virus can affect these plants. Additional Epimedium Images at Juniper Level Botanic Garden
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheEpimedium x rubrumEpimedium x versicolor 'Sulphureum'Helleborus x hybridus
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Ground Cover; Herbaceous Perennial
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 0 ft. 10 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Horizontal; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen; Deciduous; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Cordate; Deltoid; Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Prickly
Leaf value
Edible; Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Produces both basal and stem leaves. Most leaves are compound with 3 or more leaflets and often have spiny margins. Most are heart or arrow-shaped. The basal leaves are
Fall color
Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Pink; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Cup; Saucer
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The 4 parted flowers have 4 colorful sepals with the true petals inside and 4 stamens giving it the look of a bishop's hat. It has a wide variety of color options including two-toned.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Wiry green stems held above the foliage
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Asia and the Mediterranean
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Colorful; Easy to Grow; Shade
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves
Edibility
The leaves are edible, however, should be soaked and boiled prior to consumption to reduce its bitter taste.
Uses (ethnobotany)
It is used in herbal medicine. Make a great ground cover.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Naturalized Area; Woodland
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Cottage Garden; Rock Garden; Shade Garden