118 ALPINES AND BOG-PLANTS 



CHAPTER VI 



from (Kpilobi'um on tljrougt) UmliEUiferae 

 anti CompoiSitae 



As for the big Epilobiums, our native Hirsutum (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 hirsutum 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 Epilobium angustifoliv/m, 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.^ 



• No ; no miracle ; this Epilobium is a half-hardy. 



