Genus: Epilobium

Common Names: willowherbs, 

A genus of around 200 species of herbaceous perennials and annuals (and several subshrubs). E. angustifolium has been traditionally used as a food sweetener and in medicine. Two species (and their hybrids) within Epilobium sect. Zauschneria, formerly its own genus, are cultivated as ornamentals and often marketed for their ability to attract hummingbirds to the garden. 

Distribution: worldwide (except Antarctica)

Epilobium 'Bowman's #1'

Description: perennial; upright growth with narrow, olive-green foliage and tubular orange-red flowers from late summer into October. As with all of the California fuchsias, it's an excellent food source for hummingbirds as well as some species of bees.

Height: to 2 ft. Spread: to 2 ft.

Epilobium 'Calistoga'

Description: perennial; low, spreading growth with broad, gray-green foliage and tubular orange-red flowers from late summer into October. As with all of the California fuchsias, it's an excellent food source for hummingbirds as well as some species of bees.

Height: to 18 in. Spread: to 3 ft.

Epilobium 'Catalina'

Description: perennial; one of the tallest selections of California fuchsia with upright growth and silver-gray foliage. Tubular orange-red flowers  bloom from late summer into October. As with all of the California fuchsias, it's an excellent food source for hummingbirds as well as some species of bees.

Height: to 2 ft. Spread: to 2 ft.

Epilobium 'Sierra Salmon'

Description: perennial; low, sprawling growth with blue-green foliage and tubular salmon colored flowers from summer into autumn. As with all of the California fuchsias, it's an excellent food source for hummingbirds as well as some species of bees.

Height: to 2 ft. Spread: to 2 ft.

Epilobium 'Summer Snow'

Description: perennial; low, spreading growth with broad, green foliage and tubular white flowers from summer into autumn. As with all of the California fuchsias, it's an excellent food source for hummingbirds as well as some species of bees.

Height: to 1 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.

Epilobium canum subsp. canum

Description: perennial; a subspecies of E canum that is endemic to Central and Southern California. Upright growth from spreading rhizomes with grey-green foliage and orange-red trumpet flowers from summer into autumn. A hummingbird favorite. Occasionally self-seeds.

Height: to 2 ft. Spread: to 4 ft.

Epilobium canum subsp. garrettii [Salt Lake County form]

Description: perennial; an exceptionally cold-hardy form collected from 6,300 ft. elevation in Salt Lake Co., Utah. Orange trumpet flowers from summer into autumn. A hummingbird favorite.

Height: to 2 ft. Spread: to 2 ft.

Epilobium septentrionale 'Select Mattole'

Description: perennial; low, spreading growth with silver foliagee and tubular, red-orange flowers from summer well into autumn. As with all of the California fuchsias, it's an excellent food source for hummingbirds as well as some species of bees.

Height: to 6 in. Spread: to 3 ft.