Barrenwort, Fairy Wings, Bishops Hat. There are plenty of benign names for this plant, but nothing grabs your attention quite like Horny Goat Weed. Known scientifically as Epimedium, this shade- and drought-tolerant perennial originates from China where its medicinal qualities far overshadowed any use as an ornamental plant.
Legend has it that a goat herder noticed that his flock was especially frisky after eating the plant and the rest is history. While the science is a bit murky, ingesting the foliage is said to improve circulation and perhaps stimulate the production of certain hormones. (Please don’t try this without consulting a doctor.) What is certain, is that it's a lovely, dependable perennial with delicate orchid-like flowers that appear to float above the foliage in early spring. It’s an especially good option for planting beneath trees.
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