How much sun does Great Willowherb need?

Great Willowherb grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Great Willowherb bloom?

Great Willowherb blooms in June, July, August, and September.

What pollinators does Great Willowherb attract?

Great Willowherb draws bees, butterflies, and moths.

Is Great Willowherb HOA-friendly?

Great Willowherb takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Great Willowherb

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Epilobium hirsutum

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Great Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

24"–60" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, moths

Native alternatives to Great Willowherb

Great Willowherb is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.

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Great willowherb is a tall perennial wildflower with narrow leaves and bright pink flowers that bloom from summer into fall. It thrives in moist, partially shaded areas and can spread to form colonies over time. The plant dies back completely in winter but returns reliably each spring.

In an HOA neighborhood

Great Willowherb takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Aggressive spreader that can look weedy
Very informal wildflower appearance
Dies back completely leaving bare spots in winter

Wildlife value

The abundant pink flowers provide nectar for bees, butterflies, and moths throughout the long blooming season. Seeds also attract various songbirds in late fall.

Common questions

How much sun does Great Willowherb need?: Great Willowherb grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Great Willowherb bloom?: Great Willowherb blooms in June, July, August, and September.
What pollinators does Great Willowherb attract?: Great Willowherb draws bees, butterflies, and moths.
Is Great Willowherb HOA-friendly?: Great Willowherb takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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