118 ALPINES AND BOG-PLANTS 
CHAPTER EAVI 
From Epilobium on through Cimbelliferac 
and Composirae 
As for the big Epilobiums, our native Hirsutwm (the 
Codlins and Cream of river-banks) can only be de- 
scribed, from the gardener’s point of view, as a devilish 
invention. Once, many years ago, in my innocence, I 
admitted hirsutwm to the Old Garden. No decent words 
can express the torments that I have suffered from that 
horrible plant ever since. Its great white root-stems go 
louping along underground, and when you have massacred 
the shoots that have appeared above, you haven’t nearly 
accounted for all the dreadful energies that are still lurk- 
ing underneath. I leave it to fellow-sufferers, or afflicted 
gardeners generally, to imagine my misery. And the 
same must be said, too, of Kpilobium angustifolium, with 
its splendid magenta-crimson spikes. 'This is a gorgeous 
wilding, but it is madness to allow it even into the wild 
garden, unless you are prepared to give it a free hand. 
The only other Epilobium I have to tell of is a wee New 
Zealand creeper that I first saw at Miss Willmott’s, and 
afterwards possessed. It has thyme-like leaves, beauti- 
fully variegated with silver, and charming little white 
flowers. Unfortunately it does not seem to be very 
hardy. At least I cannot discover any sign of life in any 
of my frame-plants, so that I have but little hope unless 
April brings forth a miracle." 
1 No; no miracle; this £pz/ohium is a half-hardy. 
