Bicolor Barrenwort

Epimedium x versicolor 'Sulphureum'

$39²⁵

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#1 Container

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Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Flowering, Deer-resistant, Drought resistant, Groundcover, and Container Friendly

Specifications

Botanical Name

Epimedium x versicolor 'Sulphureum'
Height

1 ft
Width

1-2 ft
Growing Zones

5-9
Growth Rate

Slow
Flower Color
- Yellow
Leaf Color
- Green
- Red
- Bronze
Fall Color

Red
Pollinator Friendly

Yes
Bloom Period

Early Spring, Late Spring
Does Not Ship To

AK, HI, ID, MT

Planting & Care Instructions

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This plant thrives in partial to full shade, ideally receiving only two to four hours of soft morning light. Avoid intense afternoon sun because it will scorch the delicate foliage and cause the leaf colors to fade.
Soil: Aim for loose, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. If you are dealing with heavy clay, mix in compost or leaf mold to improve drainage so the roots do not sit in stagnant water.

Watering Requirements

During the first year, water your Barrenwort twice a week to ensure the root system establishes deeply. While it is famous for being drought tolerant in dry shade once mature, inconsistent watering during heat waves can lead to smaller flower displays. You will know it needs a drink if the foliage begins to look dull or the edges start to curl.

Pruning Tips

Since these are often semi-evergreen, you should cut the old foliage back to the ground in late winter or very early spring. Timing is critical because you want to remove the tattered winter leaves before the new flower spikes begin to emerge from the soil. This cleanup acts like a fresh haircut that allows the dainty bicolor blooms to be the star of the show without being hidden by last year’s growth.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or a thin layer of compost in early spring as the new shoots appear. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers in late summer because this encourages tender new growth that cannot harden off before the first frost. These plants are naturally efficient feeders, so a single application at the start of the season is usually all they need to flourish.

Dainty Yellow Fairy Blooms Unique Plant Bicolor Barrenwort!

Unique White & Yellow Flower Bells
Red-Tinged Heart-Shaped Leaflets
Mounded Form & Reddish in Fall
Easy Care & Low Maintenance
Full Shade & Part Shade
No Disease, Pest, Deer & Rabbit Issues

Unique sprays of fairy blooms look like little yellow bells with dainty white petal wings!

The Bicolor Barrenwort (Epimedium x versicolor 'Sulphureum') are fanciful dancing on wiry stems above handsome red-tinged, heart-shaped green foliage!

Spreading mounds of foliage, Barrenwort forms graceful colonies throughout the shade.

How to Use Bicolor Barrenwort In The Landscape

Wooded edges and naturalized areas are perfect without worrying about deer and rabbit damage.

Colonizing and spreading over banks and slopes where grass won't grow, these magical bells are amazing ground coverings and erosion control for tricky areas.

Cutting and Cottage gardens, rock gardens and shade gardens and borders, and containers are magical locations for these dainty plants!

#ProPlantTips For Care

Bi-Color Barrenwort needs part shade, even full shade in the hotter zones of 5-9. Cold hardy, these develop fall color in cooler climates and are semi-evergreen in mild winters.

Average to dry moisture requirements in well-drained soils, and aren't concerned with soil type. Preferring rich, humus and consistent medium moisture, they're drought tolerant once established.

Prune in late winter to clean dead foliage in late winter otherwise, it's very low maintenance and pest and disease-free!

Order your fairy Bicolor Barrenwort blooms from Nature Hills today for a magical garden tomorrow!

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Growing Zones 5-9

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Bicolor Barrenwort

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