Epilobium angustifolium
A tall rhizomatous perennial in the Onagraceae with pink-to-magenta flower spikes that rapidly colonizes disturbed sites across circumboreal regions, produces wind-dispersed seeds from long capsules, and goes dormant in winter.
Common Names
Fireweed, Rosebay Willowherb, Great Willowherb, Willowherb, French Willowherb
Summary
Fireweed is a tall, rhizomatous perennial that forms dense colonies with erect, often reddish stems and narrowly lanceolate leaves; it bears long terminal spikes of four-petaled pink to magenta flowers and wind-dispersed seeds with silky hairs; a pioneer of disturbed sites and an important nectar source for many pollinators; native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere from Alaska to Mexico, common in boreal and montane landscapes.
Prefers full sun and disturbed, mineral-rich, well-drained soils; drought-tolerant once established; seeds are sown in fall or stratified; spreads via rhizomes and can be aggressive in gardens; landscape uses include wildflower meadows, fire-prone landscapes, restoration, and pollinator gardens.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
3–6 ft
Spread
1-8 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zone 3
Sunlight Requirements
Full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Well-drained, moisture-retentive loamy soil rich in organic matter.
Soil Drainage
Moist but well-drained.
Soil pH
Tolerates all pH levels
Bloom Color
Pink to magenta
Bloom Time
Summer
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
Gold foliage
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Fast
Seasons of Interest
Summer and Fall
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Division
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees and butterflies
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- L.
- Publication
- Sp. Pl. : 347 (1753)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Myrtales
- Family
- Onagraceae
- Genus
- Epilobium
Inferior Taxa
Epilobium angustifolium subsp. circumvagum Epilobium angustifolium subsp. macrophyllum
Synonyms
Chamaenerion angustifolium var. abbreviatum Chamaenerion angustifolium var. album Chamaenerion angustifolium f. pubescens Chamaenerion angustifolium var. spectabile Chamaenerion denticulatum Chamaenerion spicatum Chamaenerion spicatum f. alba Chamerion angustifolium f. pleniflorum Epilobium angustifolium var. abbreviatum Epilobium angustifolium subsp. albiflorum Epilobium angustifolium f. albiflorum Epilobium angustifolium var. macrophyllum Epilobium angustifolium f. spectabile Epilobium antonianum Epilobium brachycarpum Epilobium elatum Epilobium gesneri Epilobium gracile Epilobium latifolium Epilobium leiostylon Epilobium macrocarpum Epilobium montanum Epilobium neriifolium Epilobium persicifolium Epilobium rubrum Epilobium salicifolium Epilobium spicatum Epilobium variabile Epilobium verticillatum Chamaenerion angustifolium Epilobium angustifolium subsp. angustifolium Epilobium salicifolium Epilobium angustifolium var. angustifolium Epilobium angustifolium f. angustifolium Chamaenerion angustifolium var. karsianum Pyrogennema angustifolium Chamaenerion angustifolium Chamaenerion angustifolium f. leiostylum Epilobium difforme Epilobium latifolium Epilobium spicatum f. albiflorum Chamaenerion angustifolium var. pubescens Chamerion angustifolium