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Herbaceous Perennial

Epilobium parviflorum

hoary willowherb

A native perennial to about 75cm tall. Often overwintering as a rosette of leaves, it has upright, leafy stems covered in fine hairs. Small, pale pink flowers in summer have long, tubular ovaries, developing into pods that burst open to release seeds dispersed with the help of silky parachutes

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Onagraceae
Native to GB / Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Epilobium can be annuals or perennials, sometimes invasive, with erect stems bearing willowy leaves and showy, 4-petalled flowers in terminal racemes
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Naturally found in wet or damp soils, but can stray into gardens. Worth tolerating to increase biodiversity and as a food plant for caterpillars of elephant hawkmoth, and other moth species. See willowherbs for more information

Propagation

Spreads readily by windborne seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildflower meadow
Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required; deadheading will reduce self seeding

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free, but may be susceptible to rust diseases and powdery mildews

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