Source: Donna Bos
Epilobium ciliatum
Northern Willowherb
Épilobe cilié
Obsolete Names
northern willowherb
purple-leaved willowherb
Seeds available at table Mixed Sun, Wet
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Pink
Bloom period: Jun - Oct
Max Height: 2.0 feet
Max Width: 2.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates medium soil condition
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Annual
plants that have a lifespan of one year
Gardener Experience:
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
Suitable for rock gardens
Suitable for wetland garden
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Tolerates foot traffic
Suitable for rock gardens
Suitable for wetland garden
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Tolerates foot traffic
Ecological Benefits:
No ecological benefits information available.
Tolerates:
Tolerates foot traffic
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates foot traffic
Tolerates limestone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: Yes
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
- Eudryas unio (Pearly Wood Nymph)
- Hyles lineata (White lined Sphinx)
Specialized Bees Supported by Epilobium ciliatum
No bee data available for this plant.
Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.
Complementary Plants
- No complementary plants found.
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Miscanthus (Silvergrass)
- Cortaderia selloana (Pampas Grass)
- Pennisetum setaceum (Fountain Grass)
Sowing Information
Download Sowing Label (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 mean: 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, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- At least one 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.