Barrenwort starts to bloom in late March and April, displaying their delicate flowers for about two weeks. >>>download photo
	April Gardening Tips
	April is the month that gardens and gardeners alike really spring to life. Buds and blooms invigorate the plants and their caretakers. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture recommends gardeners perform the following tasks to keep their landscapes looking their best. >>>read the article

by Susan L. Conlon

April is the month to celebrate spring blooms and new growth in the southeast. A variety of shade perennials, bulbs and wildflowers complement our native flowering dogwoods and redbuds. One spring-blooming standout in the shade garden at the University of Tennessee Gardens is Barrenwort.

Also commonly referred to as Epimedium, this tough perennial is a great groundcover for shady areas. It requires little maintenance and is easy to grow. Several species offer a range of bloom colors, drought tolerance and growth habit. Plant habit may be spreading or clumping, and most species are deciduous. Some, however, are evergreen. Epimedium has few problems with diseases or pests.

Barrenwort starts to bloom in late March and April, displaying their delicate flowers for about two weeks. Bloom colors include pale pink, white, yellow or red. Fresh green foliage soon appears, complementing the blooms until they fade. Leaves are clean and green throughout the summer. Depending on the species, foliage fades to orange, yellow or bronze in the fall. Cut back unsightly, tattered, or dead foliage in the late winter to make room for the delicate flowers and new foliage to appear in spring.

Although it may be slow to establish in its first years, Barrenwort eventually forms clumps of foliage. Plant spread is about 12 inches in height and width. Once established, Barrenwort requires little maintenance and will thrive for years. Division is seldom necessary, but can be done if desired.

The plant thrives in partial or full shade but tolerates partial sun if located in an area protected from the harsh afternoon sun. Barrenwort does best in moist, well-drained soils but can tolerate dry and tough clay soils. It is an excellent plant for dry shade and woodland areas. It is most impressive when planted in mass or used in containers. Combine it with ephemeral, spring-flowering bulbs and wildflowers that disappear by summer.

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Susan L. Conlon is a volunteer coordinator for the UT Gardens. She works under the guidance of Dr. Susan Hamilton, director of the UT Gardens. The UT Gardens are located on Neyland Drive in Knoxville. They are free and open to the public seven days a week during daylight hours.