Chamerion angustifolium

Sizes available: HPP #1

Basics: zones 2-7, 2-6' x 1-2', full sun to very light shade, a spike of up to fifty deep pink flowers, blooming from the bottom up over a long period during the summer, adaptable as to soil type, likes some moisture but is drought tolerant once established. It is such a strong grower that most of these particulars are probably moot.

Common names: Fireweed, Narrow-leaved Fireweed, Rosebay Willowherb (Britain)

Synonyms: Chamnaenerion angustifolium, Epilobium angustifolium

Family: Onagraceae

Origin/Distribution: Circumpolar and native throughout temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. In North America this plant occurs from Alaska to all of sub-Arctic Canada then south to Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, Northeast Iowa, New Mexico, and California. It is native to all New England states. 

Habitat: Meadows, fields, low wet spots, roadside, woodland edge, disturbed habitats such as logged and burned areas, or after volcanic activity or bombing (see below)

More: The above-ground parts of the early spring growth are edible and are high in vitamins A and C. The leaves can be used to make tea as well. Fireweed jelly is a thing as is Fireweed honey and Fireweed syrup. You (or the honey bees) use the flowers to make these. This is a very nectar-rich pollinator magnet. According to Go Botany, "Yupik eskimos preserved the stems in seal oil in order to eat them year-round, and they used the tough outer stem to make fishing nets." Apparently the center of the stem is soft and edible and the tough outer fibers are also used to make twine as well as netting. Fireweed has been used medicinally. 

This is a pioneer species and was 81% of the seedlings that germinated after the eruption of Mt. St. Helen's in 1980. In England, another name for Rosebay Willowherb is Bombweed as it appeared throughout London on bombed sites during World War II.

Chamerion angustifolium is a robust, strong grower (some would say aggressive), so site with care. The plant can be curtailed by removing the flowers spikes before the seeds mature. It also spreads by rhizomes. Yet, I can think of so, so many things a lot worse than a field filled with Fireweed and buzzing with insects.

Nursery: Honey Petal Plants

Image credits: Close up by bohringer freidrich via Creative Commons; image in situ by Anneli Salo via Creative Commons - both were downloaded through the North Carolina Extension Gardeners Plant Toolbox