Description
Epigaea – Orphanidesia –
There are about 3 species of prostrate, evergreen shrubs and subshrubs, in this genus. They occur in woodland in Turkey, Japan and North America. They are grown for their shjort, axillary or terminal cluster or racemes of small, urn shaped, funnel-shaped, or tubular-bell shaped flowers, borne in spring, and for their ovate to oblong, smooth edged, tough, prominently veined, dark green leaves, carried on rusty-hairy branches. Grow in a shaded niche in a rock garden or woodland garden.
Grow in humus rich, moist, acidic soil in deep to light, dappled shade.
Prone to fungal spots, spider mites, and whiteflies.
E. asiatica – This creeping, stem rooting shrub from Japan grows 4″ tall and 8″ wide. It produces oblong to elliptic, leathery, dark green leaves, 1 ½-4″ long, heart shaped at the bases and with finely bristly edges. Stems and leaves are clothed in fine brown hairs. In late spring it bears short, pendent, axillary or terminal racemes of slightly fragrant, tubular-bell shaped, light to mid pink flowers, ½” long, often with white tubes.
Zones 5-7
