Plant Dreaming: Epimedium wushanense 'Sandy Claws'

Yesterday, I posted a [plant dreaming] post about a 'stunning' Hosta:  Brother Stefan - that I came across at the local nursery.  Today, I'm sharing another plant that found on that same shopping trip that has some congruency to the Brother Stefan hosta.  First...like hostas, I *have* a few different cultivars of this plant.  And second, it is a show-boat when it comes to foliage.  I'm talking about Epimedium wushanense 'Sandy Claws'.  Here, below, are a couple of photos from the plants at The Growing Place.  First, the foliage.  And second, the sign. 

I have five (currently) Epimedium Amber Queen(s) planted already - hence thinking about this particular sport as a new (potential) addition.  I put in three last Fall and two this Spring and - so far - they're pretty slow to grow.  They're about the same size as they were when I put them in.  And, based on what I've read, that's pretty normal.  They are 'slow to establish' plants.  

If you peep at the photos, you can tell why I was drawn to these:  the color, the spine, the points on the leaves.  Love it all.  

Walters Garden has this description up:

This woodland perennial is perfect to combine with other shade staples like Hostas and ferns. ...Newly emerging foliage has dramatic maroon coloring unique to the shade garden. The color mellows to dark green by summer. 

...Epimedium are one of the few plants capable of surviving in dry shade. Although slow to establish, mature plants will not be missed in the landscape, particularly when in flower. 

Emphasis, mine.

On that same page, Walters Gardens lists a set of companions that feels familiar:

ajuga burgundy glow, jack frost brunnera, hakonechloa, apple twist heuchera, whee ruffled hosta.

We have four of the five mentioned.  

Feels like a good fit for our yard, doesn't it?   Hopefully, a Fall Plant Sale will arrive and we'll just have to 'get to know' these Sandy Claws Epimedium a little more closely.