136 HARDY PERENNIALS 
head of a drum-stick. It is indeed a giant and will 
become a great favourite. 
Epigaea repens. — This may be classed as one 
of the plants that never outgrows the stage of rarity, 
although it has long been in cultivation. It is a 
lover of peat, shade, and moisture, and provided 
with such conditions it will carpet the ground with 
leafy stems, and produce charming little white 
flowers with tinges of red to brighten them up. 
The blossoms are pleasantly perfumed. It is a 
charming plant to grow in company with choice 
small-growing Rhododendrons, Azaleas, or hardy 
Ericas. 
Epilobium. — A wilding of our British woodlands, 
Epilobium angustifolium, with rosy red flowers in 
long tapering spikes, and its pure white counterpart, 
the variety album, are two of the most charming 
and accommodating plants that we can select for 
planting under the shade and drip of tall trees. In 
such situations where the majority of plants would 
languish or die the Epilobiums will flourish and 
increase apace. In such spots it should be planted, 
for given a position in the open border the Epilobium 
will rapidly outrun its allotted space and overgrow 
smaller and less vigorous companions. 
Epimedium. — For those who admire beautiful 
foliage as well as flowers the Epimediums are a 
family that should command special attention. 
Early in Spring the young foliage is marvellously 
pencilled and flushed with delicate rosy tints. 
