How to Grow Bishop's Hat

Wikimedia Commons

Bishop's Hat

Epimedium grandiflorum

flower

Bishop's Hat is a delicate shade-loving perennial known for its distinctive flowers with backward-facing spurs that resemble a bishop's mitre or hat. The plant produces attractive heart-shaped leaves that often display bronze or reddish tones, especially in spring and fall. It's an excellent groundcover and specimen plant for woodland gardens and shaded borders.

When should you plant Bishop's Hat in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Bishop's Hat timeline →

Example Bishop's Hat timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Bishop's Hat
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
First Bishop's Hat blooms
Mid-to-late summer

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Bishop's Hat dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Partial to full shade; 2-4 hours of indirect sunlight is ideal

💧

Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water regularly during the growing season; reduce watering in winter dormancy. Mulching helps retain moisture.

📏

Spacing: 12 inches

📅

Days to maturity: Flowers appear in second year after planting; full plant maturity at 3-4 years

🌱

Planting depth: Bare root rhizomes planted 1-2 inches deep; transplants at soil level

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 5.5-7.0

Amendments:

Compost Leaf mold Peat moss Bark chips

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 4-9, with best performance in zones 5-8

4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

Get my Bishop's Hat timeline →

Growth Stages

Establishment

Spring through summer of first year

New plants develop roots and basal foliage; heart-shaped leaves emerge from soil

Keep soil moist; apply 2-3 inches of mulch; protect from direct sun and wind

Vegetative Growth

First full growing season through year 2

Foliage expands; plants form dense clumps; leaves may display bronze or red tones

Water consistently; allow foliage to grow naturally; deadhead spent leaves in early spring if desired

Flowering

4-6 weeks in spring (April-May in northern zones)

Delicate flowers with backward-facing spurs appear on thin stems above foliage; colors range from white, pink, red, to bicolors

Blooms typically appear in mid to late spring; flowers last 3-4 weeks; deadheading extends blooming

Seed Development

Late spring through summer

After flowering, seed pods develop and ripen; foliage continues to mature and deepen in color

Leave seedpods for self-seeding if desired; allow foliage to fully develop through summer

Dormancy

Fall through early spring (October-March)

Foliage yellows and dies back; plant enters winter rest; minimal above-ground activity

Cut back old foliage in late winter before new growth emerges; maintain mulch layer; reduce watering

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Hosta Hellebore Astilbe Foamflower Coral Bells Japanese Anemone Liriope Ferns Brunnera

Avoid planting near:

Aggressive spreading plants in confined spaces Plants requiring hot, dry conditions Shallow-rooted plants competing for moisture

Common Pests

and
Remove debris; use slug traps or barriers; handpick in early morning; copper tape around planters
Rarely serious; remove affected foliage; maintain plant vigor through proper care
Increase humidity; mist foliage; ensure adequate moisture; spray with water to dislodge

Uses

🎨

Cut Flowers & Arrangements

Craft

The delicate, uniquely-shaped flowers make excellent additions to spring bouquets and woodland-style arrangements. The heart-shaped foliage also adds texture to mixed arrangements. [source]

🏠

Shade Garden Groundcover

Household

Epimedium is an excellent low-maintenance groundcover for shaded areas where grass struggles. It suppresses weeds, requires minimal care once established, and provides year-round interest. [source]

💊

Traditional Asian Medicine

Medicinal

In Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, Epimedium species (particularly E. koreanum and E. pubescens) are used in herbal preparations. The herb contains compounds believed to have various health-supporting properties. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

The delicate spring flowers attract early-season pollinators including bees and small insects. The plant provides habitat and shelter for beneficial insects and ground-dwelling creatures. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Bishop's Hat is an ornamental perennial not typically harvested for food. Cut stems for fresh arrangements in spring when flowers are at peak bloom. Propagate by dividing established clumps in early spring or fall.

Fun Facts

🌱 The common name 'Bishop's Hat' refers to the flower's distinctive backward-facing spurs, which resemble a bishop's ceremonial mitre hat—another name for this plant is 'Fairy Wings' for the delicate, wing-like petals.
🌱 Epimedium is sometimes called 'Horny Goat Weed' because of traditional claims in Asian cultures, though modern research is ongoing into its actual properties.
🌱 The foliage of Bishop's Hat is semi-evergreen in milder zones and puts on a stunning display in spring and fall with bronze, copper, and reddish tones before turning green in summer.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Deadhead Mulch Perennial

Shop Bishop's Hat plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Bishop's Hat planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Bishop's Hat seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Bishop's Hat timeline →