Plant Profile: Epilobium hirsutum

These exquisite flowers inspire one to take out a sketchbook and create a drawing. They have the power to enchant artists of all ages. The striking colors and the distinctiveness of the seeds as they scatter make it a perfect moment to grab your camera and capture the scene.

Willowherbs belong to the Onagraceae family. These annual plants are predominantly found in cooler climates but can occasionally appear as a cool-season weed in warmer regions. The seedlings are initially small and take time to establish, but once they do, they become increasingly common in container nurseries, likely due to contamination from nursery crops. It is essential to inspect liners to avoid their introduction and to prevent the plants from seeding. Currently, willowherbs are not effectively managed by herbicides that are approved for use, and the efficacy of these herbicides against this species is based on limited experimental evidence. This weed bears a resemblance to northern willowherb (Epilobium ciliatum).