Stories from the Garden: Epidmedium

Photo: Walters Garden, Epimedium ‘Pink Champagne’

In this episode, Dr. A shares one of his favorite kinds of garden tales: the story behind a plant’s name.

Today’s spotlight is on Epimedium, a tough, graceful ground cover native to Japan that thrives in shade, fills space beautifully, and surprises gardeners with delicate spring flowers and handsome foliage. But Epimedium’s real intrigue lies in its colorful common names—and the folklore behind them.

Dr. A walks us through how Epimedium came to be known as Barrenwort, Bishop’s Hat, and perhaps most famously, Horny Goat’s Weed. From observant Japanese goat farmers to early medicinal uses tied to fertility, this plant has a history that’s as entertaining as it is unexpected.

As always, Dr. A reminds us that plants are more than just things we grow—they’re stories we get to tell.

Whether you’re filling a shady corner of your garden or looking for a great conversation starter, Epimedium just might deserve a closer look.