Epilobium coloratum aka Purpleleaf Willowherb

Epilobium coloratum is a perennial known as purpleleaf willowherb. It belongs to Onagraceae, the willowherb family. Its native range includes eastern Canada and the central and eastern United States. It also grows naturally on Hispaniola. Kew places the species in the temperate climate group. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. The RHS lists its name as unresolved.

Plants reach about 2.6 feet (0.8 metres) in height. The supplied species account gives no mature width. Its wild habitats include low ground and slopes with springs. These sites fit its preference for soil that stays moist. Each flower has both male and female organs. Bees pollinate the flowers. The evidence gives no species-level details about flower colour or bloom season. It also gives no description of the leaves or fruit.

For cultivation, choose moist soil that drains well. The roots need moisture without a poorly drained planting site. Plants For A Future recommends a sunny position. It also reports that the plant can grow in light shade. This gives scope for planting along a woodland edge. A garden with dappled shade is another listed setting. The species accepts sandy, loamy, and clay soils. It also tolerates mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline conditions. The supplied accounts give no hardiness zone or frost limit.

Seeds and division offer two ways to raise more plants. Sow seed where it will grow in early spring. Seed can also be sown as soon as it ripens. Divide established plants in spring or autumn. Larger divisions can go straight into their final sites. Put smaller divisions in pots while they form strong roots. Plants For A Future suggests a cold frame for this stage. Move these young plants into the garden in spring. Its account describes division as very easy.

Plants For A Future gives this species a low food-use rating. It lists the stem as an edible part. It also records a report of use in bread making. That report does not identify which plant part was used. No medicinal uses or other uses are recorded there. The same source reports no known hazards and no weed potential. The supplied evidence names no pests or diseases. These gaps do not establish that the plant is free from such problems.