Willowherb Information
Willowherb (Epilobium) is a Class B noxious weed in many states. In its native regions, it is simply part of the natural flora and a beneficial part of the landscape. When soils are disturbed though, the seeds spread far beyond their home turf and can cause quite a problem for farmers, land management professionals, and home gardeners. There are many varieties of willowherb weeds. Hairy, Canadian, Tall, Greater, you name it; there is a species of the weed. Most site themselves near water of some sort, but they are also adaptable to dry, disturbed areas. Most of the West Coast of the United States classes them as problem plants due to their aggressive spread. They are tall plants, 3 to 6 feet (1-2 m.) in height, with narrow profiles and thick, rigid stems that are herbaceous rather than woody. Flowers appear in late spring through late summer, adorning the plant with richly colored pink blooms. Full willowherb information would not be complete without mentioning the fruits. Seeds are small, hard, four-chambered capsules, brown as a nut and containing numerous tiny seeds. The capsule splits open and releases these tiny egg-shaped seeds, each equipped with a hairy tuft at the end which captures the wind and sails far and wide.
How to Get Rid of Willowherb Weeds
The problem is that willowherbs are remarkably resistant to most herbicides. It can take years of persistence before the plants are eradicated in a garden bed. Cut off any flowers before they produce seed heads. Seedlings can be killed with black plastic covers creating a sterilization effect through solarization. Mature plants are dug out deeply and thrown away. Don’t try to compost these plants, as they will simply take over your compost heap.
Chemical Control of Willowherb
Chemicals should be a method of last resort, as they tend to do as much harm as good. Indeed, with this weed, control with herbicides is erratic and may take several seasonal applications even with good cultural methods. Glyphosate is not effective on its own, so put down the Round Up. The most effective treatments have been shown to be a broad spectrum combined with a pre-emergent application. The pre-emergent keeps seeds from germinating and reduces seedlings. Glyphosate can eventually navigate the vascular system of mature plants and kill them. It is important to keep up on deadheading during this period of treatment in order to reduce seed spread to untreated areas. Both treatments will need to be done for at least two years for the most effective control.
