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Herbaceous Perennial

Chamaenerion angustifolium

rosebay willowherb

A rhizomatous, strongly-spreading perennial to about 1.5m tall, forming dense colonies, with long, narrow, willow-like leaves arranged spirally up the pink-tinged stems. Striking spikes of purplish-pink flowers bloom from summer to autumn, followed by long pink-tinged seed pods; seeds are cocooned in silky plumes

Other common names

bay willow
blooming willow
see moreburntweed
fireweed
French willow
French willowherb
great willowherb
herb wickopy
moose tongue
Persian willow
pigweed
purple rocket
rose bay
rose elder
wickup

Synonyms

Epilobium angustifolium
Epilobium spicatum
see moreChamerion angustifolium

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained, Well–drained

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

West–facing or East–facing or South–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Onagraceae
Native to GB / Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Chamaenerion can be annuals or perennials, sometimes invasive, with erect stems bearing willowy leaves and showy, 4-petalled flowers in terminal racemes
Name status: Correct
Plant range: N Hemisphere

How to grow

Cultivation

Naturally occurs on a wide range of soils in open places such as verges or waste ground; has the potential to become a nuisance so site with care

Propagation

Propagate by seed, propagate by division in spring or autumn or propagate by softwood cuttings from side shoots in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildlife gardens
Wildflower meadow

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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