Spine Tingler Barrenwort

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Partial Sun

(3 - 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

6-11 Inches

Mature Spread

1-2 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 8

Aptly named Spine Tingler Barrenwort, formally called Epimedium, and delightfully nicknamed “fairy wings'', is sure to make your spine tingle. These low growers, ranging from 8 to 10 inches tall, spread with wiry, green leaf stalks that hold narrow, heart-shaped leaflets. These rich, green leaves have spiny edges that occasionally take on a slight blush hue. This outstanding Barrenwort produces floriferous sprays of yellow, jester-hat flowers that bloom in mid to late spring.

Native to China, Spine Tingler Barrenwort is low-maintenance without sacrificing any showy qualities, and looks especially stunning when massed as ground cover. Unlike other Epimedium, which flower first, Spine Tingler sends up flowers and foliage at the same time. The flowers and foliage are both long-lasting in arrangements, and the evergreen foliage is perfect for your winter garden.

Spine Tingler Barrenwort Care

Spine Tingler will survive in dry shade, but thrives in areas with average water, and partial sun or dappled shade. Ideally, Spine Tingler should have between two and four hours of sunlight each day. When grown in deep shade, these plants usually produce larger leaves with fewer flower stems per plant, and are less likely to form clumps. Spine Tingler is deer and rabbit tolerant, and is commonly appreciated for its critter and pest-resistance and durability. It grows best in loamy, clay soils, but can also take hold and thrive in drier areas or areas with gravel.

Your Spine Tingler Barrenwort is hardy, but should be fed yearly with slow-release fertilizer that is low in nitrogen. It is also advised to trim back the previous year’s foliage in early spring before fresh growth begins, but if the foliage is still green, it can be left. The new leaves will rise above the old ones. Evergreen foliage can be cleaned in late winter.

Spine Tingler Barrenwort Spacing

When planting your Spine Tingler Barrenwort, do not place the crown of the plant more than half an inch deeper than the surface of the soil. Individual plants should be spaced 12 to 15 inches apart. Spine Tinglers can be used as groundcover under trees, or among rhododendrons, azaleas, and camellias. They are fantastic in large rock gardens and will grow well in containers.