Fringed Willowherb
Epilobium ciliatum
Also known as Glandular Willowherb, American Willowherb, Northern Willowherb
Climate Match for your location
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A slender perennial wildflower with small pink or white flowers arranged in spikes, thriving in moist, disturbed areas and along stream banks. It spreads readily and is often considered weedy in cultivated gardens.
Why grow it
Fringed willowherb establishes quickly in wet marginal zones where many ornamental perennials struggle, making it useful for stabilizing stream banks and saturated soils. Compared to related willowherbs, its smaller stature and delicate flowers suit naturalized plantings in rain gardens or bioswales where a softer aesthetic is desired over bolder species. It requires minimal inputs once established and tolerates both full sun and partial shade in moist conditions.
Watch out for
This species self-seeds prolifically in ideal conditions, so deadheading spent flowers will help contain spread if planted near garden beds. In consistently wet sites it may outcompete slower-establishing plants, requiring periodic thinning to maintain intended plant communities. Young seedlings benefit from consistent moisture during establishment, but mature plants are fairly self-sufficient in appropriate microclimates.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Onagraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
North America
Native to: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, 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 slender perennial wildflower with small pink or white flowers arranged in spikes, thriving in moist, disturbed areas and along stream banks. It spreads readily and is often considered weedy in cultivated gardens.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Fringed Willowherb grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Fringed willowherb establishes quickly in wet marginal zones where many ornamental perennials struggle, making it useful for stabilizing stream banks and saturated soils. Compared to related willowherbs, its smaller stature and delicate flowers suit naturalized plantings in rain gardens or bioswales where a softer aesthetic is desired over bolder species. It requires minimal inputs once established and tolerates both full sun and partial shade in moist conditions.
Watch out for
This species self-seeds prolifically in ideal conditions, so deadheading spent flowers will help contain spread if planted near garden beds. In consistently wet sites it may outcompete slower-establishing plants, requiring periodic thinning to maintain intended plant communities. Young seedlings benefit from consistent moisture during establishment, but mature plants are fairly self-sufficient in appropriate microclimates.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Onagraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
North America
Native to: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, 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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