How to Grow Epilobium Plants in your Garden

Gardener's HQGuide to Growing Willoherb, Fireweed, French Willow, and Spike-primrose

Epilobium are hardy and half hardy perennials that usually flower in the middle of summer.

Due to being a very large genus of plants, Epilobium plant sizes are very variable, though gardener's tend to have a preference for the smaller (10 to 20 cm / 4 to 8 inches) and larger (120 to 150 cm / 4 to 5 feet) varieties.

The smaller species usually grow in clumps, and have funnel shaped flowers of red. The larger varieties of Epilobium have small flowers of white or pink.

Epilobium angustifolium - Fireweed / Rosebay Willowherb by wallygrom.

Some of the common names for Epilobium members include French Willow, Rosebay, Fireweed, and Willow herb.

How to grow French Willow and other Epilobium Plants in the Garden

It is best to grow French willow and other Epilobium plants outdoors in flats. The seeds should be planted at a depth of about 3 mm (1/8th inch) in the autumn using fresh seeds.

The flats should then be covered with glass and be placed against a north facing shed or wall in the garden.

Once seedlings emerge in the spring, they should be allowed to grow for 6 or 7 weeks and then transplanted at a spacing of 30 cm / 1 foot (small) to 60 cm / 2 feet (large). Locate in a sunny or lightly shaded area of the garden.

Members of Epilobium such as the French willow, prefer to grow in a soil that is of a stony and dry nature. Ideally with a slightly acidic soil of pH 6 to 7.

Caring for Epilobium

Once established French Willow and other Epilobium plants will pretty much look after themselves. Perhaps a little too well, so dead-head Epilobium after flowering to prevent them from self-seeding, and taking over the garden.

I hope that you found this guide on how to grow Epilobium plants in your garden. You may also enjoy my gardening guides on how to grow California Fuchsia, Gaura plant, and Oenothera plants.