EPILOBIUM (Epilo'bium)

DESCRIPTION: These hardy perennials are found wild in Asia, Europe and North America. These plants could become a weedy pest in gardens because they spread rapidly from self-sown seeds. E. angustifolium, the Willow Herb or Fireweed, is an upright, vigorous plant that is suitable for planting by the waterside or wild garden. It grows 4 to 5 feet high and has slender, lance-shaped, dark green leaves with wavy margins. In late summer, they produce spikes of small, rose-purple, 4-petaled flowers. The variety album, White Rosebay, has white flowers and is just as pretty.

POTTING: Epilobiums may be grown in ordinary, well-drained, moist soil in full sun; they will tolerate some shade.

PROPAGATION: Softwood cuttings of sideshoots may be taken in the spring. They may also be lifted and divided in the fall, or seeds may be sown in the spring.

VARIETIES: E. angustifolium & variety album; E. hirsutum; E. Hectori; E. obcordatum.

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