Northwest Blooms · Groundcovers
Epimedium 'Royal Purple'
Royal Purple Barrenwort
- Family
- Berberidaceae
- Height
- 12 to 18 in
- Width
- 18 to 24 in
- Flower color
- Rich raspberry red to deep violet with contrasting spurs
- Foliage color
- Deep green with reddish to bronze new growth, often developing red margins in cooler weather
- Bloom time
- Early to mid spring
- Light
- Partial shade to full shade
- Water
- Moderate; prefers evenly moist, well-drained soil but tolerates some dryness once established
- Maintenance
- Low; shear old foliage to the ground in late winter before new growth emerges
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 5 to 9
- Wildlife
- Bees, early-season pollinators
About this plant
Epimedium 'Royal Purple' features graceful, spurred flowers in raspberry red to magenta tones with lighter inner markings, held on slender stems above emerging foliage. The heart-shaped leaves open with bronze and burgundy tints before maturing to rich green, forming an elegant, layered groundcover that remains attractive well beyond flowering.
Blooming in mid to late spring, this cultivar originates from hybrid breeding within the genus. It is well suited to woodland gardens, shaded borders, and underplanting beneath trees and shrubs, where its refined flowers and handsome foliage create long-lasting texture and seasonal interest in low-light areas.
Works well in
Woodland Gardens · Under Trees · Borders · Pollinator Gardens
Companion plants
Ferns · Japanese forest grass · Trilliums · Siberian buglosses · Primroses · Foamflowers
Design tip
Weave this elegant groundcover between larger shade perennials instead of planting it in isolated blocks. The repeating drifts connect neighboring plants, creating layered woodland compositions that feel unified while allowing each seasonal display to flow naturally into the next.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at Windcliff Garden.
