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Chamaenerion angustifolium

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Chamaenerion Angustifolia Chamaenerion Angustifolium 5 Chamaenerion Angustifolium 1
Chamaenerion Angustifolia Chamaenerion Angustifolium 5 Chamaenerion Angustifolium 1

Chamaenerion angustifolium

Common Name: Fireweed

Chamaenerion angustifolium, commonly known as Fireweed, is a tall, herbaceous perennial that grows 3 to 7 feet tall. It features lance-shaped leaves and produces spikes of magenta to pink flowers from mid-summer to fall. This species thrives in woodland edges and clearings, along roadsides and shores, and areas disturbed by fire or logging. The young shoots and leaves are edible when cooked, and the plant has been used traditionally to make herbal teas and jellies. Fireweed is valued for its rapid growth and vibrant flowers, making it suitable for wildflower gardens, naturalistic plantings, and erosion control on disturbed sites.

Characteristics

Product Form Plant, Seed
Type Forb
Sun Full Sun, Partial Sun
Soil Loam, Sand/Gravel, Calcareous
Moisture Mesic, Wet
Average Max Height (inches) 48
Suggested Plant Spacing (inches) 12
Bloom month(s) June, July, August
Bloom Color or Type Pink, Violet
Dominance High

Range Maps

Chamaenerion Angustifolium Usa Range Map
Chamaenerion Angustifolium 1

Sowing Information

For most homeowners, the recommended method is to hand-broadcast seed at a minimum rate of 16–64 PLS (Pure Live Seed) ounces per acre. To ensure even coverage, broadcast the seed in perpendicular passes across the site. Grass seed should be broadcast first and lightly raked into the soil. Afterward, apply a light mulch layer using clean, seed-free straw or, preferably, our native Little Bluestem straw, available at our retail garden centers. Once mulching is complete, broadcast native wildflower seed over the area without raking it in. A good rainfall or thorough watering will provide sufficient soil contact for successful germination.

Planting Information

Dig a hole in your planting site slightly larger than the plant’s root system. When placing the plant into the hole, ensure that the soil line remains consistent with its original level in the pot. Fill in around the roots with the excavated soil, gently firming it to eliminate air pockets. Water the plant thoroughly the same day to promote successful establishment.
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