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Lilafee Barrenwort

Epimedium grandiflorum 'Lilafee'

  • Rare Amethyst-Purple Spurred Blooms Light up Dry Shade Gardens Spring Through Early Summer
  • Thrives in Zones 5-8
  • Grows 1-2 ft Tall and Wide
  • Showy Purple Blooms From Early Spring to Late Spring
  • Deer Resistant, Disease Resistant, Rabbit Resistant
Regular price $3988
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Plant Size

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: Lilafee prefers partial to full shade, ideally receiving about 2 to 4 hours of dappled or morning sun. While it survives in deep shade, providing a bit of light ensures the most prolific purple blooms and the best bronze tint on new spring foliage.
  • Soil: This plant thrives in well drained, humus rich soil that mimics a forest floor. If you have heavy clay, mix in organic compost to improve drainage, or add peat moss to sandy soil to help retain the moisture these delicate roots crave.

Watering Requirements

Newly planted Barrenwort needs consistent moisture, so water it twice a week until the root system is established. While mature plants are remarkably drought tolerant in shady spots, inconsistent watering during summer heat can lead to crispy leaf edges or smaller flower displays the following year. Think of regular watering as insurance for the lush, heart shaped foliage that defines this groundcover.

Pruning Tips

Lilafee produces flowers on stalks that emerge right alongside new growth, but the foliage often stays semi evergreen through winter. In very early spring, before the new flower stalks emerge, cut the old foliage back to the ground. This "spring cleaning" allows the delicate, spider like blossoms to take center stage without being hidden by tattered or winter worn leaves.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer or a layer of rich compost in early spring as new growth begins to peep through the soil. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer. Excess nitrogen encourages tender growth that will not have time to harden off before the first frost, leaving the plant vulnerable to winter damage.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4 Week of March 30th
Zone 5 Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12 Week of March 2nd


Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
$199+ FREE

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Description

Add Magic & Merriment With Lilafee Barrenwort!

  • Unusual Amethyst-Purple Flowers
  • Curious Spurred Blooms
  • Long Heart-Shaped Leaves
  • Waxy Green Foliage With Red Blush
  • Very Long-Bloom Time
  • Easy Care & Low Maintenance
  • Full Shade and Part Shade
  • Dry Shade Tolerant!
  • Rocky & Gravel Soil
  • Deer & Rabbit Resistant
  • Drought Tolerant!
  • Fanciful Container Plant

So unique and whimsical, the Lilafee Barrenwort (Epimedium grandiflorum 'Lilafee') has the most unusual-looking blooms! Also known as Bishop's Hat, Lilac Fairy and Fairy Wings, these give your garden plots a magical, ethereal feel!

The showy light purple to amethyst blooms have upturned spurs and four points. Barrenworts look like fancy Jester's or Bishop's Hats dangling in long clusters high above the lovely mottled, heart-shaped foliage! This combination really lights up the shady parts of your garden big time!

The long sprays of violet flowers fill out the entire arching stem. Blooming in mid to late spring and act as both stand-out specimens and delicate fillers throughout the garden.

Bright green, heart-shaped leaves remain through the summer months. The wiry stems have a red tinge and even the early spring leaves emerge with a reddish blush in spring, before maturing to medium green.

Each leaf is waxy and has an interesting frosted glaze, causing water to bead up like glistening droplets. Then fall brings coppery hues to the plant!

An eclectic-looking form is so attractive, you can rest assured that no one else on your block will have this plant!

How to Use Lilafee Barrenwort In The Landscape

Modestly sized, these unusual plants have airy and delicate features for your beds and borders. The jovial-looking plants lend themselves perfectly in both formal and informal settings.

Asian-inspired, Urban courtyards and eclectic garden designs welcome this peculiar plant as it brightens your shady areas with otherworldy texture!

This dazzling Epimedium romps throughout the mixed-shrub garden and informal borders with fascination!

Tolerating dry, rocky and gravel soil, Lilafee escapades through your rock gardens and in those shaded waste areas with ease. Cottage gardens are given a magical air with a few of these intriguing plants interspersed!

Lilafee is a unique woodland shade and accent plant. Plus, their love for shade makes Barrenwort fanciful underplantings to your larger trees and shrubs. There they can bask in the provided shade and hide leggy stems in return as ground cover!

The long stems and quirky flowers are naturals for the cutting garden and are a fantastic cut flower to add enchanting long-spurred lavender violet blooms to your bouquets and floral arrangements!

Plant en masse for erosion control that will have the entire neighborhood talking! Lilafee is a tough groundcover where grass has trouble growing in the shade.

Adding whimsy to your containers and planters on shady patios for a magical conversation piece for your entertaining areas!

#ProPlantTips For Care

Lilafee thrives in growing zones 4 through 8 where it prefers well-drained soils, that are organic and fertile. Barrenwort does best in humus-rich part shade locations.

In warmer climates, where Barrenwort can be semi-evergreen, they do better in full shade locations that have consistent moisture.

Once established, Lilafee is drought tolerant and even does well in dry shade as long as supplemental watering is provided during extended periods.

A generous layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture as well as insulate the root system from heat and chill. Barrenwort also appreciates some protection from cold, drying northern winds in winter to prevent leaf burn.

Prune back in late winter to tidy up the plant and give it a fresh look each year otherwise, Lilafee is very low maintenance! Pest and disease-free, Barrenwort are also nearly deer and rabbit proof!

Plant your own magic this year with a quirky Lilafee Barrenwort, and have the most unique garden on the block! We're excited to offer this unique plant so be sure to order quickly from Nature Hills today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Lilafee Barrenwort grow well in full shade or dry shade conditions?

  • Lilafee Barrenwort thrives in both full shade and dry shade conditions, making it an excellent choice for challenging garden spots. This tough perennial tolerates drought and poor soils once established. Plant it in your shadiest areas where other perennials struggle to bloom.

Is Lilafee Barrenwort deer resistant?

  • Yes, Lilafee Barrenwort is deer and rabbit resistant, making it an excellent choice for gardens with browsing wildlife. The waxy, heart-shaped foliage naturally deters these pests while providing beautiful texture in shade gardens. Shop at Nature Hills for this low-maintenance perennial that thrives where other plants struggle.

When should I prune or cut back Lilafee Barrenwort?

  • Cut back Lilafee Barrenwort in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Remove old, damaged foliage to make way for fresh heart-shaped leaves with their attractive reddish blush. Trim spent flower stems after blooming if desired for tidiness.

Is Lilafee Barrenwort evergreen, semi-evergreen, or deciduous?

  • Lilafee Barrenwort is semi-evergreen, with heart-shaped leaves that remain through summer and develop coppery fall colors before going dormant. The waxy foliage emerges with a reddish blush in spring, then matures to medium green. Cut back old foliage in late winter to make way for fresh spring growth.

Can Lilafee Barrenwort be planted under trees or compete with tree roots?

  • Lilafee Barrenwort thrives under trees and handles root competition well thanks to its dry shade tolerance. This hardy perennial actually prefers the dappled light conditions found beneath tree canopies. Plant it as groundcover under mature trees where other plants struggle, available at naturehills.com.

How do I care for Lilafee Barrenwort in winter, especially in colder zones?

  • Lilafee Barrenwort is naturally winter hardy and requires minimal care in cold zones. The foliage may die back to the ground in harsh winters, but the roots remain viable and will send up new growth in spring. Simply cut back any dead foliage in late winter before new shoots emerge.

Can Lilafee Barrenwort be grown successfully in containers or pots?

  • Yes, Lilafee Barrenwort makes an excellent container plant with its compact size and attractive foliage. Its drought tolerance and low maintenance needs make it perfect for pots in shaded areas. Use well-draining soil and place containers in partial to full shade for best results.

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