Fireweed
Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) blooms from mid-summer up until the first frost, with intensely pink flowers that progress upward along the stem. This robust spreader loves full sun and plenty of moisture. It prefers rich, loose soil and is not recommended for clay sites …
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
|---|---|
| Soil Moisture | Medium, Moist, Wet |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sun |
| Height | 3' - 6' |
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Bloom Time | July, Aug, Sep |
| Spacing | 2' |
| Zones | 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| Root Type | Rhizome |
| Benefits | Butterflies, Pollinators, Hummingbirds, Host Plant |
Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) blooms from mid-summer up until the first frost, with intensely pink flowers that progress upward along the stem. This robust spreader loves full sun and plenty of moisture. It prefers rich, loose soil and is not recommended for clay sites.
An effective colonizer in open areas where there is little competition, the pink spires are known to appear in masses on disturbed sites such as logged or burned areas. Because it spreads both by root and by self-seeding it can be persistent and aggressive in the garden. Plan for a large group or massed planting and you won't be disappointed.
Fireweed is a circumpolar species, and is native throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere. A known host plant for the fireweed clearwing (Albuna pyramidalis), bedstraw hawkmoth (Hyles gallii), and the nessus sphinx moth (Amphion floridensis).
