The plant that I am visiting each day at the moment is Epimedium Amber Queen. This plant was new last year and I’m so impressed at the way it has taken off in the woodland here and the number of flowers that it is producing.
The flowers seem to just float in the air, their stalks are so fine.
When I planted the Epimedium I completely forgot the Honesty that would be behind it.
Here the flowers almost look as though they are flying through the air like a squadron of bees.
I have other Epimedium in various shades of pink/purple and yellow, but I really like these caramel coloured flowers.
The Honesty flowers make such a nice contrast , a happy accident. I’ll have to make sure that I drop Honesty seeds in this area again!
New fronds of the fern in front link in with the colour of the epimedium, another happy accident.
If the plant is this delightful in it’s first year, then I am certainly looking forward to it increasing in the years to come. I like it so much that I have bought another for the shady part of the rockery, you can’t get a better recommendation than that!
The delicate flowers of epimedium look so delicate and airy. Who wouldn’t love such a tough plant that tolerates dry shade and increases like a trooper? The color of ‘Amber Queen’ is marvelous and is perfect with the fern and honesty. What a skilled colorist you are, even if by accident.
It’s a perfect plant Peter, lovely flowers, interesting leaves and copes with less than perfect situations, although I have tried to give it some lovely soil to grow in.
Caramel-colored is such a perfect description! I love these happy accidents where plant combos come together and work so well. I wish I could get Honesty to seed where I like. It goes where it wants to. I can never remember to save seed from it.
The colour is unusual Alison and it was such a happy accident when the flowers of the honesty and epimedium opened together. I did remember to gather and sprinkle the seed last year, just as well that I did!
These look so pretty together Pauline. Amber is a charming plant. Hope you and Hubby are doing well.
Thanks Susie, I like the colours together. I’m afraid Hubby is in hospital at the moment, he had pneumonia which has now been treated, there are also a couple of complications that need sorting. Not really very much time for gardening or blogging at the moment.
I love Epimediums too and I also have this one – my favourite one! You have captured the tiny flowers well Pauline. Mine needs a better background I think. The Honesty goes well behind it. 🙂
Good, I’m glad someone else likes it as much as I do Cathy! The honesty was pure chance, I’m so glad they came together.
A terrific combination, Pauline. Epimediums are wonderful flowers, great ground covers for tough conditions. Amber Queen is one to look out for — really lovely.
I’m looking forward to it growing and spreading Pat, the flowers are larger than the others that I have and certainly stand out in the woodland.
How delightful! They do look like a squadron of bees! Your photos are great. I also like the color combination with the Honesty. I have several types of epimediums, and I like them all, though this year they bloomed poorly, probably because of the drought we had last fall.
Thank you Deb, the flower stalks are so fine, you can hardly see them. Instead of April showers, we are having a little mini drought, no rain in the forecast for the next week or so, maybe I will have to water my plant.
What a sweet little flower. It looks like it’s floating. It’s very exotic looking. Great addition to the woodland. Happy Gardening!
It is certainly a good addition to the woodland Sally, I wonder why it took me so long! I’m very happy with where I planted it, it is doing so well.
I love the contrast of the caramel epimedium flowers against the honesty – sometimes nature’s happy accidents work really well. Although I really should be thinking about colour in the garden throughout the year, I think I might be on the lookout for this plant now!
Nature is wonderful Caro, it’s just as well that she steps in sometimes and puts the finishing touches. Trying to keep areas going through the year is difficult at times, the woodland goes quiet in the summer and I have to rely on foliage for those months.
Beautiful, they really do look as if they are flying. I love plants with delicate stems.
Thanks Christina, the little flowers on their dainty stems are amazing.
I love Amber Queen too and mine has had a baby which is similar but not quite the same. Just as lovely though.
A Baby, lucky you Chloris! Such a lovely plant, I hope mine increases like yours.
Oh so pretty, Pauline
Thank you Cathy, it is pretty isn’t it. I’m amazed at how many flower stems it is putting up in it’s first year.
Oh…how wonderful seeing them in more detail. I was just admiring this combination in your last post!!! Yes, you must remember to seed the honesty there again.xxx
I couldn’t resist giving a post to themselves Dina! I must make sure that I sprinkle Honesty seed round the woodland again, some came up white, but the purple goes so well with the Epimedium.
They look like orange fairy spirits floating through the air.
Yes, they do, don’t they Jason. Such a lovely ephemeral for the woodland.
I love Epimediums too. This looks gorgeous. The flowers aren’t the easiest to photograph so well done on getting so many good ones.
Thanks Julieanne, it didn’t help that they were waving around in the breeze too!
I love epimediums and find them so difficult to photograph. You’ve captured their airy grace here.
Thank you Susan, the wind made them difficult to photograph, but I managed in the end!