Fireweed
Chamaenerion angustifolium
Also listed as Epilobium angustifolium, Chamerion angustifolium
Also known as Rosebay Willowherb, Great Willowherb, Wickup
Climate Match for your location
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A tall perennial with magenta-pink flowers arranged in dense spikes that bloom mid to late summer. Fireweed is vigorous and spreads readily, making it ideal for naturalistic gardens and disturbed areas.
Why grow it
Fireweed establishes quickly in poor soils and disturbed sites where many ornamentals struggle, making it useful for erosion control and ecological restoration. Its late-summer bloom extends color into a season when many perennials have faded. Compared to other tall spike-flowered plants like liatris or salvia, fireweed requires less maintenance once established and tolerates wider soil and moisture ranges, though it lacks their formal garden polish.
Watch out for
In fertile, well-watered garden beds, fireweed self-seeds prolifically and can outcompete neighboring plants; regular deadheading or closer spacing of companions helps manage spread. The plant performs better in regions with cool summers and may decline or require afternoon shade in hot climates. Young seedlings are fine and easy to remove, but established plants have deep taproots that make hand-pulling difficult.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Onagraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Northern Hemisphere, including North America and Europe
Native to: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A tall perennial with magenta-pink flowers arranged in dense spikes that bloom mid to late summer. Fireweed is vigorous and spreads readily, making it ideal for naturalistic gardens and disturbed areas.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Fireweed grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Fireweed establishes quickly in poor soils and disturbed sites where many ornamentals struggle, making it useful for erosion control and ecological restoration. Its late-summer bloom extends color into a season when many perennials have faded. Compared to other tall spike-flowered plants like liatris or salvia, fireweed requires less maintenance once established and tolerates wider soil and moisture ranges, though it lacks their formal garden polish.
Watch out for
In fertile, well-watered garden beds, fireweed self-seeds prolifically and can outcompete neighboring plants; regular deadheading or closer spacing of companions helps manage spread. The plant performs better in regions with cool summers and may decline or require afternoon shade in hot climates. Young seedlings are fine and easy to remove, but established plants have deep taproots that make hand-pulling difficult.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Onagraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Northern Hemisphere, including North America and Europe
Native to: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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