Image of Epilobium ciliatum
Source: Donna Bos

Plant Names

image of Flowering plant
Epilobium ciliatum
Northern Willowherb
Épilobe cilié

Synonyms

northern willowherb
purple-leaved willowherb

Plant Characteristics

Bloom Colour: Pink Bloom Period: Jun - Oct
Max Height: 2.0 feet
Max Width: 2.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Annual plants that have a lifespan of one year
Gardener Experience:
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
plant germinate easy Easy to germinate
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
wetland garden Suitable for wetland garden
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
Ecological Benefits: No ecological benefits information available.
Tolerates:
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant

Fun Facts

Fringed Willowherb is an upright native perennial that produces small pink to white flowers along slender stems from summer into fall. It commonly occurs in moist meadows, stream edges, disturbed soils, roadsides, and open woodlands. The long, narrow seed capsules eventually release numerous tiny seeds, allowing the plant to colonize suitable areas. It is best suited to naturalized areas rather than formal beds. It tolerates disturbed and compacted soils. It may behave more like a volunteer than a deliberately placed garden specimen.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Epilobium ciliatum
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Taiga Plains
  • Atlantic Maritime
  • Boreal Plains
  • Montane Cordillera
  • Prairies
  • Boreal Shield
  • Boreal Cordillera
  • Pacific Maritime
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Epilobium ciliatum

Specialized Bees Supported by Epilobium ciliatum

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Miscanthus (Silvergrass)
  • Cortaderia selloana (Pampas Grass)
  • Pennisetum setaceum (Fountain Grass)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow by February
  • Stratification duration: 60 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: July
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Seeds have become fluffy and can be easily removed by shaking on gently pulling off from stem
  • Harvesting:
    • Shake seed head in paper bag
  • Seed viability test:
    • No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/32 teaspoon
  • Seed storage:
    • Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
    • Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • Harvesting video: Watch here

Toxicity Notes

Inadequate information on toxicity found.