http://botanyphoto.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/chamerion_angustifolium.jpg

Chamerion angustifolium – fireweed – Onagraceae family

Sites/Notes:Rhizome-like roots, alternate leaves, flowers are rose to purple, large and stalked, 4 petals – mid summer blooming. Full sun to light shade. Slightly acidic soil. Likes a moist to fairly dry disturbed areas including clearings, roadsides, especially recently burnt areas, also found in meadows, thickets, on avalanche tracks, along river bars, abundant in outer coastal areas. Colonizing species – colonizes if there is not other competition ( forest fire). Seeds lay dormant in the soil underneath forest canopy, when there is a fire and light is abundant, they grow again. It attracts a wide range of pollinators (generalized form). Zone 4 hardiness. 90-120 cm tall.

Aesthetic/notes: I’ve seen this flower in many areas in the Fraser Valley. It is a very versatile plant and creates a beautiful purple haze in meadows. I would be interested in putting this in a contained meadow or even a rain garden. Introducing in a public space could have a interesting effect.

https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/udata/r9ndp23q/pd2/epilobium-angustifolium_004.jpg