Tall Annual Willowherb
Epilobium brachycarpum
Last reviewed: September 2026
Tall Annual Willowherb (Epilobium brachycarpum) is a annual forb native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 9 more states. It blooms in July, August, September, and October. The flowers draw bees and butterflies.
Toxicity unknown
Tall Annual Willowherb (Epilobium brachycarpum) 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
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–60" H × 6"–24" W
Bloom
Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Native to
AZ, CA, CO, ID and 9 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Tall Annual Willowherb.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Tall annual willowherb is a native wildflower that grows 1-5 feet tall with small pink or white flowers from summer through fall. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in sunny locations and self-sows readily, making it useful for naturalizing areas.
Growing Tall Annual Willowherb
Grow Tall Annual Willowherb in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 60 inches tall and spread 6 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Tall Annual Willowherb takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Looks weedy and unkempt to most homeowners
- Self-sows aggressively and can appear invasive
- Dies back completely as annual leaving bare patches
Wildlife value
The long blooming period provides nectar for bees and butterflies from July through October. Seeds also provide food for birds in late fall.
Common questions
- How much sun does Tall Annual Willowherb need?
- Tall Annual Willowherb grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Tall Annual Willowherb bloom?
- Tall Annual Willowherb blooms in July, August, September, and October.
- Where is Tall Annual Willowherb native?
- Tall Annual Willowherb (Epilobium brachycarpum) is native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 9 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Tall Annual Willowherb attract?
- Tall Annual Willowherb draws bees and butterflies.
- Is Tall Annual Willowherb HOA-friendly?
- Tall Annual Willowherb takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Tall Annual Willowherb? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.