Fireweed Epilobium Angustifolium is a herbaceous perennial herb native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere. If Fireweed seeds are started indoors, the cold stratification method is required for 4 weeks to boost germination, or the seeds can be sown without any pre-treatment directly outdoors in fall. Also commonly called Rosebay, Rosebay Willow Herb, Great Willow Herb, Blooming Sally, Blackheart, and Yanagiran, Epilobium Angustifolium or Chamerion Angustifolium is a vigorous fast-spreading, upright-growing, rhizomatous perennial wildflower that grows up to 36-48 inches blooming from June to September with the ornamentally stunning spikes of small, saucer-shaped, bright pink to purple flowers on a top of stiff woody stems with narrow, willow-like leaves. The fragrant Fireweed flowers attract masses of butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds like them too.
Fireweed is a popular wildflower for mass plantings as a honey plant in naturalized areas to attract bees, and other garden uses include group plantings, rock gardens, borders, cottage and butterfly gardens. Epilobium Angustifolium seeds are have to be just slightly pressed into the soil, and the common name Fireweed is originated from the fact that Chamerion Angustifolium is the first weed to grow in areas that have been destroyed by wild fires or volcanoes. The established Fireweed grows best in full sun or partial shade and rich, loose, moist soil. All parts of Rosebay Willow Herb plant are edible, and it has has been used by Native Americans as a good source of vitamin C and vitamin A. Medicinally, Great Willow Herb has been used to relieve inflammation, draw out infection in wounds, and to treat burns.
PLANT PROFILE
Season: Perennial
Height: 36-48 Inches
Bloom Season: Summer
Environment: Sun/Partial Shade
Soil Type: Rich/Moist well-drained, pH 6.1-6.5
USDA Zones: 2-9
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
Sow Indoors: Winter/Spring (6-8 weeks before last frost)
Sow Outdoors: Fall
Seed Depth: Surface sowing - press seeds slightly into the soil
Germination Time: 14-30 Days
