Chamaenerion dodonaei

RHS Plant Profile

Dodoens' willowherb

RHS

Other common names

rosemary-leaved willowherb

Synonyms

Chamaenerion angustissimum, Chamaenerion palustre misapplied, Chamerion dodonaei, Epilobium dodonaei, Epilobium rosmarinifolium

Herbaceous Perennial

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A spreading perennial with a woody rootstock and upright stems with short, narrow, hairy leaves. Throughout summer loose spires of cup-shaped, purple-pink flowers are produced

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure: 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): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Onagraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Chamaenerion 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

Grows best in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or semi-shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe, or sown in spring; or by division in autumn or spring; or take softwood cuttings from sideshoots in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds
Banks and slopes

Pruning

deadhead to encourage repeat flowering, and prevent self-seeding

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews and a rust