Rosebay willowherb Epilobium angustifolium

Successful coloniser of waste places, forming large patches of bright pink-purple spikes

Plumed seeds drift long distances on the breeze

Found in bare dry places: gained its name 'fireweed' because it is often the first plant to colonise after fires

Native of America; naturalised and spread rapidly during and since the two World Wars

Provides good forage for bees, both in pollen (which is blue) and in nectar