Chamerion angustifolium 'Album'

RHS Plant Profile

white-flowered rosebay willowherb

Other common names

white rosebay willowherb

Synonyms

Epilobium angustifolium 'Album'
Chamerion angustifolium 'Album'
Epilobium angustifolium alba
Epilobium angustifolium var. album
Epilobium angustifolium f. leucanthum

Herbaceous Perennial

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A fast-growing, strongly-spreading, rhizomatous perennial to 1.5m tall, forming an extensive patch of erect pink-tinged stems with long, narrow, willow-like leaves , and spikes of white flowers 2cm across from mid-summer to early autumn, followed by long pink-tinged seed pods; seeds are cocooned in silky plumes

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 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: 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): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Onagraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in full sun or partial shade; vigorously spreading by rhizomes and has the potential to become a nuisance so site with care

Propagation

Propagate by seed, propagate by division in spring or autumn or propagate by softwood cuttings from side shoots in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Wildflower meadow

Pruning

Deadhead to encourage repeat flowering and to prevent self-seeding

Pests

May be susceptible to slug and snail damage

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews and a rust