Fireweed
Chamaenerion angustifolium
zones 3-6
100 seeds
Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the willowherb family Onagraceae. Fireweed is native throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere, including large parts of the boreal forests. The plants average from 4-6 feet high. The numerous long narrow leaves scattered along the stems are the origin of the species name angustifolium, Latin for narrow leaved. The leaf veins are circular and do not terminate at the leaf edges. A spike of up to fifty or more dark pink flowers blooms atop the stems from June to September. The flower's four petals alternate with four narrow sepals, and the four cleft stigma curls back with age. Each flower is perched at the end of a long cylindrical capsule bearing numerous seeds. Seeds have a tuft of silky hairs at the end.
The ideal planting time for Fireweed is in early fall, to allow germination and growth before winter, or late fall before the snowfall for a dormant seeding. Select an area with full to partial sunlight. To prepare the garden area smooth out the top of the soil without packing it down firmly. Mix the tiny Fireweed seeds with sand, then gently cast the seed across the area and pat it gently into the prepared area. Sprinkle lightly and keep the area moist until plants are well established. If using stored seed and planting in spring, keep the seeds in a cold spot during winter months, such as the refrigerator or in an unheated garage.
Chamaenerion angustifolium
zones 3-6
100 seeds
Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the willowherb family Onagraceae. Fireweed is native throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere, including large parts of the boreal forests. The plants average from 4-6 feet high. The numerous long narrow leaves scattered along the stems are the origin of the species name angustifolium, Latin for narrow leaved. The leaf veins are circular and do not terminate at the leaf edges. A spike of up to fifty or more dark pink flowers blooms atop the stems from June to September. The flower's four petals alternate with four narrow sepals, and the four cleft stigma curls back with age. Each flower is perched at the end of a long cylindrical capsule bearing numerous seeds. Seeds have a tuft of silky hairs at the end.
The ideal planting time for Fireweed is in early fall, to allow germination and growth before winter, or late fall before the snowfall for a dormant seeding. Select an area with full to partial sunlight. To prepare the garden area smooth out the top of the soil without packing it down firmly. Mix the tiny Fireweed seeds with sand, then gently cast the seed across the area and pat it gently into the prepared area. Sprinkle lightly and keep the area moist until plants are well established. If using stored seed and planting in spring, keep the seeds in a cold spot during winter months, such as the refrigerator or in an unheated garage.
Chamaenerion angustifolium
zones 3-6
100 seeds
Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the willowherb family Onagraceae. Fireweed is native throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere, including large parts of the boreal forests. The plants average from 4-6 feet high. The numerous long narrow leaves scattered along the stems are the origin of the species name angustifolium, Latin for narrow leaved. The leaf veins are circular and do not terminate at the leaf edges. A spike of up to fifty or more dark pink flowers blooms atop the stems from June to September. The flower's four petals alternate with four narrow sepals, and the four cleft stigma curls back with age. Each flower is perched at the end of a long cylindrical capsule bearing numerous seeds. Seeds have a tuft of silky hairs at the end.
The ideal planting time for Fireweed is in early fall, to allow germination and growth before winter, or late fall before the snowfall for a dormant seeding. Select an area with full to partial sunlight. To prepare the garden area smooth out the top of the soil without packing it down firmly. Mix the tiny Fireweed seeds with sand, then gently cast the seed across the area and pat it gently into the prepared area. Sprinkle lightly and keep the area moist until plants are well established. If using stored seed and planting in spring, keep the seeds in a cold spot during winter months, such as the refrigerator or in an unheated garage.