The best place to plant epimedium is in dappled shade under deciduous trees. The soil stays cool there. The canopy filters out harsh midday light. This spot copies the woodland edges where the plant grows wild. It gives you strong foliage and good spring flowers for many years.
I picked my first epimedium location under a silver maple. The lawn there was patchy and brown each summer. But the clump filled in well within two seasons. By the third spring, it pushed out wiry stems of pink flowers. The maple had not even leafed out yet.
Epimedium thrives where other plants give up. The thin surface roots help a lot here. The roots stay near the soil top. They weave around tree roots without taking deep water. The leathery leaves also hold water well. This is why dry shade planting suits this plant much more than wet, boggy ground. You can plant it in spots that no other perennial wants.
NC State Extension lists epimedium for USDA Zones 5a to 8b. The plant tolerates a wide soil pH from below 6.0 up to 8.0. That range covers most acid to neutral garden soils. You rarely need to amend the bed before planting. A mulch of shredded leaves once a year keeps the root zone happy and cool.
I tried a second clump of mine in a south-facing bed one year. The leaves turned brown and crisp by July of that summer. I moved it to the north side of the house that fall. The next spring, your eyes would not believe how it bounced back with deep green growth. Hot summer sun is the main thing that hurts these plants in warmer zones, so plan your site choice well.
For Zone 7 and above, you must avoid hot sun on the leaves. An east-facing site works best for these plants. The plants get soft morning light. They get shade by noon. North-facing borders also suit epimedium well. The soft light keeps the leaves a deep green tone with no scorched edges.
Pair your plants with hellebores and woodland ferns for layered shade interest. Hellebores bloom in late winter. The epimedium flowers follow in early spring. Then the ferns push up new fronds as the epimedium flowers fade. This is the best answer to where to plant barrenwort for the longest run of color.
Give your new clump a deep soak after planting. Add a two inch (5 centimeter) layer of leaf mulch around the crown. The mulch keeps weeds down. It also feeds the soil as it breaks down. You should water once a week for the first summer in your bed. After the first full year, your epimedium needs little extra care from you.
You can plant epimedium in spring or fall for your best results. Spring planting gives the roots time to settle before summer heat hits your zone. Fall planting works well in warm regions where you want roots set before the next growing season. Avoid planting in mid-summer if you can since the heat stress is hard on young plants. This single tip will save you a lot of trouble down the road.
Read the full article: Epimedium Plant Grower's Guide
