pruning Globe thistle benefits from
a couple types of pruning to look its
best and to flower longest. First
deadhead or cut back by a third to half,
to lateral flower buds. Then, when new
basal foliage starts to develop and all
flowering is finished, plants should be
cut back to basal foliage. Plants
normally will rebloom from this basal
growth, but usually the blooms are
smaller, shorter, and less numerous
than that of the initial flowering.
Plants may seed occasionally if not
deadheaded. Seedheads are attractive
to the birds, so leaving a few dead-
heads from the last bloom phase may
be a good compromise. Foliage may
decline if not given afternoon shade in
warm sunny gardens, in which case
deadleafing will be necessary to keep
plants attractive. Do not cut back for
the winter; prune in the early spring.
other maintenance Very hardy,
pest resistant, and drought tolerant
once established. Well-draining soil is
essential for survival. Does not need
staking unless sited in overly rich soil.
Can also spread strongly under such
conditions. Division is not needed or
recommended for many years and can
prove difficult due to the thick,
branching taproot. I have successfully
divided young plants of globe thistle
cultivars in early spring.
related plantS Echinops ritro
‘Veitch’s Blue’ is particularly desirable
because it’s a good rebloomer.Epimedium ×rubrum
red barrenwort
berberidaceaeIntricate red flowers; semi-evergreen,
heart-shaped foliage
Blooms April–May
8–12 in. high; 12 in. wide
Part shade–full shade
Zones 4–8
pruning Plants usually are
semi-evergreen (actually bronze) over
the winter and become unsightly by
very early spring. They should be cut
down at this time, so as to not detract
from the early spring flowers. Somegardeners use rotary mowers in the
autumn to clean up large groundcover
areas, which means missing out on the
winter foliage but getting a jump on
spring maintenance. This technique
would also be useful for related species
that have minimal winter interest.
Deadheading may involve a little
clipping here or there, but for the most
part the maturing foliage hides old
flower stalks.
other maintenance Barrenwort
is a tough, long-lived, low-
maintenance groundcover. It prefers
moist, well-draining, high-organic soil,
but is great for dry shade once
established; it will compete with tree
roots. It is a moderate spreader.
Division is seldom needed, but if
desired, divide in early spring before
flowering or in summer after the
foliage has had a chance to mature.
related plantS Epimedium
grandiflorum, longspur barrenwort,
increases slowly. Foliage starts to
decline soon after the first frost and
usually is completely gone by spring,
thus not requiring cutting back. It can
be somewhat difficult to grow, though
it is fully hardy (to zone 5). Notable
cultivars include ‘Lilafee’ (lilac), ‘Red
Queen’ (rosy red), and ‘Tama-no-gem-
pei’ (white and purple bicolor).
Epimedium ×perralchicum ‘Frohn-
leiten’ is hardy to zone 5 and is
evergreen to zone 6. It has red-mottled
foliage and upright columns ofEpimedium ×rubrum