{"product_id":"rubrum-barrenwort","title":"Rubrum Barrenwort","description":"\u003ch1\u003eThe Elegant Groundcover That Conquers Dry Shade\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRubrum Barrenwort (\u003cem\u003eEpimedium\u003c\/em\u003e × \u003cem\u003erubrum\u003c\/em\u003e) is a refined, tough-as-nails groundcover for the dry shade beneath trees where little else thrives. In spring, airy sprays of dainty crimson-and-pale-yellow flowers dance above heart-shaped leaflets that emerge tinged red, mature to green, and color again in fall. Once established it shrugs off drought, root competition, and deer — a long-lived, deer-resistant carpet for shaded beds in Edina, Minnetonka, and St. Paul.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRubrum Barrenwort Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEpimedium × rubrum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–12 in. tall, 12–18 in. wide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePart shade to full shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMid to late spring\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCrimson-red with pale yellow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdaptable — thrives in dry shade and clay-loam under trees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to about -25°F once established\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely browsed by deer or rabbits\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-evergreen; red-tinged in spring and fall\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLandscape Uses in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDry-shade groundcover:\u003c\/strong\u003e One of the few perennials that thrives in the dry, rooty shade under maples and oaks. Space 12–16 inches apart and let it slowly knit together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWoodland edging:\u003c\/strong\u003e Its tidy, layered foliage makes a refined edge along shaded paths. Pair with hostas, ferns, and bigroot geranium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September). Water through the first season; once established it tolerates dry shade well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Rubrum Barrenwort\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDig a hole twice the pot's width at the same depth. In dry shade, mix in compost to help young roots establish. Set the crown level, backfill, water well, and mulch with shredded leaves. Space 12–16 inches apart. Shear old foliage in early spring before new growth for the best flower display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Rubrum Barrenwort\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst year:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water every 2–3 days at first, then weekly — dry shade dries quickly under tree roots. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter year one:\u003c\/strong\u003e One of the most drought-tolerant shade groundcovers — water only in extended dry spells.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Will it grow in dry shade under trees?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — that's its specialty. It's among the toughest perennials for that difficult spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Should I cut it back?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShear the old leaves in very early spring so the delicate flowers show before the new foliage flushes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — deer and rabbits rarely touch it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — hardy to zone 4, with semi-evergreen foliage that may persist through mild winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBevan's Variety Cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum):\u003c\/strong\u003e Another tough dry-shade groundcover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHosta:\u003c\/strong\u003e A bold-leaved shade staple to pair with the fine barrenwort foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum):\u003c\/strong\u003e A delicate native fern for rich shade.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1 Gallon","offer_id":54315485790513,"sku":null,"price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/rubrum-barrenwort.jpg?v=1779727887","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/rubrum-barrenwort","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}