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Epimedium x warleyense 'Orange Queen'
Barrenwort
Plant Type:
SHADE PERENNIALSEpimedium x warleyense ‘Orange Queen’ – 'Orange Queen' is a taller growing Barrenwort with coppery-orange flowers on stems up to 20”. Although listed as a USDA zone 6 plant ‘Orange Queen’ is thriving for us in zone 5b (-15F) having developed into a beautiful patch. In fact, in December of 2009 ‘Orange Queen’ remained evergreen after numerous nights when temperatures dipped into the lower teens and even several into single digits. However, we had had a blizzard that blanketed the garden with about 18” of snow. So, for a string of very cold nights the colony was moderately protected under cover of snow. Regardless, when the snow melted the colony was still almost entirely green on December 27 with a handful of leaves bronzed. This cultivar demonstrates much greater hardiness than some growers indicate, probably through USDA zone 5 and perhaps even colder. If offered in 2-quart size they will be landscaper grade and well worth the price. A good deal for landscapers. Moderate spread. If ordered in autumn 'Orange Queen' will arrive cut back and dormant. Established pot grown plant from division.
Characteristics and Attributes for Epimedium x warleyense 'Orange Queen'
Season of Interest (Flowering)
- Spring
Season of Interest (Foliage)
- Spring / Summer / Autumn
Nature Attraction
- Deer Resistant
Light
- Morning Sun / Afternoon Shade
- Shade
- Dappled Shade
Attributes
- Natural Garden
- Border
- Drought Tolerant
- Rock Garden
- Edging
- Woodland
- Ground Cover
Growth Rate in the Garden
- Moderately Fast
Soil
- Fertile
- Woodland
- Draining
Origins
- Garden Origin
Propagated By
- Division
Genus Overview: Epimedium
The Barrenworts have received much attention in recent years and deservedly so. They come in many differently-colored flowering forms sporting delicate, dangling spider-like blossoms in spring. Some, as in E. sempervirens, are virtually evergreen; many others deciduous with delicate kidney-shaped leaves on wiry stems. The foliage on many cultivars in our USDA zone 5b (-15F) remains handsome until the winter solstice supplying 2 to 3 seasons of interest, some even provide golden to purple-bronze autumn tones. Slowly, gradually, they form a ground cover in part to full, open shade in fertile soil. The Barrenworts or Bishop Hats exhibit fair drought tolerance and are well-behaved members in part to open shade. They work well in herbaceous borders, woodland gardens or down-facing shrubs. Epimediums are members of the Berberidaceae and are of Asian origin. Once established they exhibit fair tolerance to dry shade. All of the following are pot-grown divisions from our plants.