Belongs to: willowherb family

Compare with: rosebay willowherb

Great willowherb Epilobium hirsutum

Also known as: codlins-and-cream


Best time to see: Jun to Aug

Key facts

Common plant of damp places, spreading underground to form large clumps, with purplish-pink flowers in summer

Tall, softly hairy perennial with flowers on short stems, June to August; lanceolate toothed leaves

Widespread in all kinds of damp places: river banks, marshes, ditches, clearings in damp woodlands

  • Main photo
  • flower

Photo © Tony Gunton

Photo © Owen Keen