Epilobium

[David Nicholson]

I have seed of Epilobium colchicum and E. crassum and know less than nothing about them. Any information as to when to sow and how to sow would be appreciated please.

[Maggi Young]

For the Epilobium colchicum  I'd just throw it around the garden and it will have the entire county colonised in no time..... isn't Epilobium colchicum the common, and rampant, Willowherb?  


The little New Zealander, E. crassum is cuter...... I'll grant you that. Try it in a very sandy mix... that'll grow most anything.

[David Nicholson]

For the Epilobium colchicum  I'd just throw it around the garden and it will have the entire county colonised in no time..... isn't Epilobium colchicum the common, and rampant, Willowherb?  


The little New Zealander, E. crassum is cuter...... I'll grant you that. Try it in a very sandy mix... that'll grow most anything.

Yikes! is it? I get enough of that from the nearby railway line (that bloke Brunel has a lot to answer for). Think I'll have a go at the New Zealander though. Autumn sown?

[Maggi Young]

The big one from the railway lines  may be E. angustifolium... but frankly, even of E. colchicum is a bit  smaller I wouldn't be too keen.
 Seed Exes  list it though, and the Czechs sell it......so the choice is yours! 

Yes, for E. crassum, sow seed late autumn, barely covering the seed. Wants a poorish soil, I reckon.
 I think I 've seen germination given as likely within a month at 10 to 16 degrees, but we don't go in for such luxuries here. 

[David Nicholson]

Many thanks Maggi.

[ronm]

You could always start a colony of the Elephant Hawkmoth and / or the Small Elephant Hawkmoth. We DO have both on Epilobium in the garden .

http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?id=60

http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?id=3162