Blooming Sally Epilobium angustifolium
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Chamerion angustifolium
- Phonetic Spelling
- ep-ih-LOW-bee-um an-gus-tee-FOH-lee-um
- Description
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A rhizomatous perennial wildflower that is easy to grow in full sun to partial shade, high organic matter, well-drained soil. It can struggle in our hot southern summers, requiring afternoon shade and moist soils and does best in the mountain region of the state. It is found in a variety of areas including roadsides, clearings, and open woods. The common name comes from its propensity to appear after fires. Plant in informal areas of the landscape including meadows or woodland gardens, in borders, or massed in rock or cottage gardens. To encourage more blooming remove spent flowers before they go to seed.
Insects. Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Snails and slugs are occasional visitors. Powdery mildew, rust, and leaf spot are occasional problems. The wind-dispersed seeds can make fireweed weedy and aggressive.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Epilobium
- Species:
- angustifolium
- Family:
- Onagraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Greenlan, Eurasia
- Wildlife Value:
- Honeybees are attracted to the flowers and the nectar from fireweed makes delicious honey.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Description:
- seed pod contains numerous seeds with a tuft of silky hairs at one end. Seeds are wind-dispersed.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1-1.5 in. deep pink to magenta-purple saucer-shaped flowers on an elongated, slender, drooping inflorescence; four roundish petals. Blooms in summer from the bottom to the top of the stem in terminal racemes.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 2"-8" in. long 3/4" wide willow-like lanceolate or linear leaves with pinnate veins
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Reddish green, unbranched, stiff, upright
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
