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    • Photo of Epilobium angustifolium flower by Delphine Ménard

    Photo by Delphine Ménard

    w:en:Creative Commons attribution share alike This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 France license.

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    Epilobium angustifolium

    Also Known As

    • Chamerion angustifolium
    • Fireweed
    • Great Willow Herb
    • Rosebay Willow Herb

    Plant type

    perennial

    size

    • H: 3'-6'
    • W: 3'-8'

    planting zones

    • 3a-9b

    More Options

    Epilobium angustifolium plant details

    Epilobium angustifolium is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with blue and green foliage. In summer purple flowers emerge. Features glaucous texture. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Epilobium angustifolium

    Plant type: perennial
    Plant family: onagraceae
    Foliage: deciduous blue and green
    Mature size: 3 FT - 8 FT - wide, 3 FT - 6 FT - tall
    Flowers: purple blooms in summer
    Uses: border plant, cottage garden, easy-to-grow, native plant

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Epilobium angustifolium

    USDA Zones: 3a - 9b
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
    Watering frequency: regular - low
    Resistant to: heat
    Soil needs: average

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    This glorious wildflower was described by Lewis Clark as 'the eye is gladdened by expanses that glow with incredible colour'. Beautiful 2-5' spikes of deep-purple-pink blooms rise above narrow leaves on this potentially invasive plant that spreads aggressively by strong rhizomes. This perennial is native to open fields, streams, ravines and disturbed areas from Alaska to Canada; it reaches down into the Appalachian Mountains in the east and to California in the west. The name of fireweed is a reference to the way the plant appears in areas devastated by wildfires or volcanoes. This intriguing plant is woven into the lives of people around the world; used as greens by the Native Americans, tea in Russia, and as syrup, candy and even ice cream in Alaska! S/M-D

    By: Forestfarm

    One of our showiest native wildflowers, the pink blossoms of Fireweed bloom from mid-summer up until the first frost. Named for its habit of appearing on recently burned areas, Fireweed?creeps slowly by rhizomes to form a patch. Prefers rich, loose soil. Not recommended for clay. Hardy to Zones 2 - 5.

    By: Prairie Nursery

    An exceptionally colorful, stalwart & hardy California native perennial that is sometimes confused with Lythrum salicaria “Purple Loostrife” (invasive pest in California). It’s beautiful, easy & you can grow it! Generally it grows about 2’-3’ tall, but has been known to reach 6’-8’ in colder climes like Alaska. Long, upright dense spikes of four-petalled flowers appear mid-Summer thru Fall atop yellow stems & attractive willow-like foliage. Loved by bees, it also has many medicinal uses & the new shoots (up to 8”) can be cooked like asparagus. Grown in any ordinary garden soil, this plant is especially useful for creating a reliable patch of color in the back of a garden! If kept moist it can spread some by wandering roots – just pluck out the new shoots & they’ll stop right there or grow it in a large container. Don’t grow it near a creek or wet area, as it can become a weed in wet soil.

    By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Gardening facts about Epilobium angustifolium plant

    How to Grow Epilobium angustifolium

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly shade

    • Water Needs

      • regular - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in summer

    • Soil Needs

      • adaptable
      • average

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green
      • blue

    • Flower Color

      • purple

    • Wildlife

      • bees

    • Flower Season

      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    • Texture

      • glaucous

    See other plant types of Epilobium for your garden

    Zauschneria californica

    Scientific Name: Epilobium canum

    aka Epilobium canum subsp. angustifolia, Epilobium canum subsp. mexicanum, Zauschneria californica subsp. californica, Zauschneria californica subsp. mexicana, Zauschneria californica var. villosa

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover

    Zones

    8a-10b

    Size

    Height: 12"-30"

    Width: 12"-36"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Zauschneria californica flower, form by Annie's Annuals & Perennials
    View Plant

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    Epilobium angustifolium subsp. circumvagum

    aka Chamaenerion angustifolium subsp. circumvagum, Chamerion angustifolium subsp. circumvagum, Blackheart, Blooming Sally, Fireweed, Rosebay, Rosebay Willow Herb

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    2a-9b

    Size

    Height: 3'-4'

    Width: 6"-9"

    • mostly sun
    • regular
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Epilobium angustifolium subsp. circumvagum flower by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    Epilobium fleischeri

    aka Chamaenerion fleischeri, Alpine Willowherb, Dwarf Fireweed

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    7a-9b

    Size

    Height: 18"

    Width: 18"

    • sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Epilobium fleischeri flower by Plant Select®
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    Zauschneria californica 'Everett's Choice'

    Scientific Name: Epilobium canum var. latifolium 'Everett's Choice'

    aka Epilobium 'Everett's Choice', Epilobium californica 'Everett's Choice', Zauschneria 'Everett's Choice', Everett California Fuchsia, Everett's Choice California Fuchsia

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover

    Zones

    7b-10b

    Size

    Height: 6"-12"

    Width: 12"-24"

    • sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Zauschneria californica 'Everett's Choice' flower by Dancing Oaks Nursery
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    Zauschneria septentrionalis 'Select Mattole'

    Scientific Name: Epilobium septentrionale 'Mattole River'

    aka Epilobium septentrionalis 'Mattole Select', Zauschneria septentrionalis 'Mattole Select', Mattole Select California Fuchsia

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    7a-11

    Size

    Height: 6"-10"

    Width: 12"-24"

    • sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Zauschneria septentrionalis 'Select Mattole' form by Dancing Oaks Nursery
    View Plant

    More Options

    +29 more Epilobium
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