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great willowherb | Plant Finder | Fill My Garden

Home/Plants/Perennials

Plants > Perennials

great willowherb

Epilobium hirsutum

Genus: Epilobium
Family: Onagraceae
Common Names: apple pie, cherry pie, codlins and cream, custard cups, fiddle grass, gooseberry pie, great hairy willowherb

About this plant

A very strong-growing herbaceous perennial, spread by rhizomes making dense mats of roots. Stems up to 2m in height are clothed in dark green, hairy, narrow lance-shaped leaves. Mid-pink flowers are borne in summer and are particularly attractive to hoverfiles and other pollinators

Growing Information

Height

1.5-2.5 Metres

Spread

1-1.5 Metres

Hardiness

Foliage

Deciduous

Growing Conditions

Sunlight

Full SunPartial Shade

Soil

SandyLoamChalkClay

Neutral

Not Currently Available

This plant is not currently stocked at any garden centres on our platform.

Alkaline

Acid

Moisture

Moist But Well DrainedPoorly Drained

Aspect

East FacingWest FacingNorth FacingSouth Facing

Exposure

ShelteredExposed

Care Guide

Cultivation

Ideal for damp wild areas such as streamsides or marshy ground where the roots can spread freely. Excellent plant for attracting pollinating species. Will also grow in well-drained soil. Needs full sun to grow best

Pruning

Cut back at the end of the year, when foliage dies back

Propagation

Propagate by division in autumn or spring, by seed as soon as ripe or in spring

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to rust diseases and powdery mildews

Garden Uses

Uses

Banks SlopesWildflower MeadowRock Garden

Season of Interest

SpringSummerAutumn

Size & Characteristics

Height

1.5-2.5 Metres

Spread

1-1.5 Metres

Habit

SuckeringClump Forming

Time to Full Height

Five To Ten Years