How to deal with willowherb
Control willowherb/fireweed in your garden.
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Willowherb is the name given to several plant species found in gardens, including rosebay willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium), great willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum), hoary willowherb (Epilobium parviflorum) and broad-leaved willowherb (Epilobium montanum). All are excellent wildlife plants but can be quick to spread so may need controlling in smaller gardens.
What is willowherb
Willowherbs are in the genus Epilobium although rosebay willowherb was recently reclassified into the very closely related Chamerion genus.
Identifying willowherb
Identifying willowherbs down to species can be tricky as they look similar and some species hybridise.
Rosebay willowherb bears low rosettes of leaves, from which spires of willow-like leaves grow to 1.5m high. Flowers are purple-pink and are followed by pink-tinged seedpods of fluffy seeds.
Great willowherb is also known as ‘hairy willowherb’ due to the fine, soft hairs that cover its stems and narrow willow-shaped leaves. It grows to 2m and its pink-purple flowers have pale centres.
Hoary willowherb looks very similar to great willowherb but is smaller, growing to about 75cm, and its flowers are a paler pink.
Broad-leaved willowherb grows to a height of about 75cm and does best in partial shade. It has wide, oval shaped, almost hairless leaves. Its flower buds tend to droop before opening before small, pale pink flowers emerge.
Does willowherb cause problems?
Willowherbs don't cause problems but they can spread easily by seed and underground roots, known as rhizomes. Indeed, in the right setting, willowherbs make excellent garden plants, thanks to their height, abundance of flowers and attractive seeds. Cultivated varieties of rosebay willowherb include white-flowered Chamaenerion angustifolium 'Album' and pale-pink-flowered Chamaenerion angustifolium 'Stahl Rose'.
Many willowherb species are also excellent wildlife plants, providing food for pollinators as well as leaves for caterpillars of several moths, including the elephant hawk moth.
Willowherb and the law
There are no laws prohibiting the growth of any willowherbs in the UK.
How to prevent willowherb
Willowherbs are shallow-rooted and are easy to pull up. You can also remove the plants before they set seed, so they can't propagate themselves around the garden.
How to control willow herb
Willowherbs are easy to remove by pulling them out of the ground.
How to remove willow herb
Simply pull up or dig up willowherb plants before they flower and set seed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I eat willowherb?
Rosebay willowherb roots and young shoots are edible, and can be eaten a bit like asparagus. The young leaves can be added to salads or cooked like spinach, but the older leaves can taste bitter.
Is willowherb poisonous to dogs?
No, willowherbs are not toxic to dogs or other pets.
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