Epimedium National Collection

Much of the charm of epimediums lies in the way their dainty flowers are suspended in clusters from long stems that quiver at the slightest movement. But as the flowers dance, resplendent in glistening shades of pink, purple, white, yellow, caramel, gold or red, their partnering leaves cannot be overlooked. Sometimes burnished, bronzed or coppery, at others mottled, marbled or spiny-margined, the leaves of many epimediums are as strikingly beautiful as their flowers. It is no wonder, then, that Roger and Linda Hammond have long been admirers of these lovely perennials and have amassed a National Collection at their Essex garden, where these images have mostly been taken. Here, there are many rarities as well as better known varieties.