by hankinslawrenceimages | Sep 12, 2014 | Flowers, Onagraceae Family, Wildflowers
Fireweed © 2013 Patty Hankins
What is better than a single pink-purple wildflower? How about a big patch or even a field full of them?
One of the wonderful western wildflowers I’ve seen in several locations is Fireweed (Chamerion Angustifolium). I found this patch of fireweed at Yellowstone National Park a couple of years ago.
A summer blooming member of the Evening Primrose family, fireweed is native to Canada and a few western mountain states in the United States. Also known as willow herb or french willow, fireweed can grow to five feet tall with four-petaled pink-purple flowers.
I loved seeing fireweed along the sides of the roads and in the fields of the western parks. If you visit when the fireweed is blooming – be sure to stop and take a few minutes to enjoy this beautiful wildflower.
Fireweed is one of the wildflowers featured in my 2015 Wildflower Calendar. My calendar features photographs of twelve different wildflowers I’ve taken in recent years.
by hankinslawrenceimages | Aug 26, 2013 | Colorado, Flowers, Montana, Onagraceae Family, Wildflowers, Wyoming
Fireweed © 2013 Patty Hankins
One of the wonderful western wildflowers I’ve photographed in several locations is Fireweed (chamerion angustifolium). The bright magenta flowers of this summer blooming member of the Onoagraceae (evening primrose) family are easy to spot. I’ve photographed it at Yankee Boy Basin in Colorado, and in Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.
Fireweed © 2013 Patty Hankins
Fireweed is native to Canada and a few northern or mountainous states in the US, including Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Minnesota and Indiana. Fireweed is also known as willow herb and french willow.
Fireweed © 2013 Patty Hankins
Fireweed can grow to a height of five feet tall. The bright magenta four petaled flowers are about an inch across. Stems are reddish with alternate leaves.
Fireweed © 2013 Patty Hankins
Fireweed grows in moist soil in areas with lots of sun. It is commonly found along roadsides and in clearings. It is one of the plants that first grows back in burned wooded areas – hence it’s name – fireweed.
Fireweed © 2013 Patty Hankins
Fireweed © 2013 Patty Hankins
Fireweed © 2013 Patty Hankins
Fireweed © 2013 Patty Hankins
Fireweed © 2013 Patty Hankins
More information about fireweed can be found at
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
USDA Plant Profiles
by hankinslawrenceimages | Aug 20, 2011 | Flowers, New Photos, Onagraceae Family, Photo Locations, Texas, Wildflowers
I’ve recently added a new photo – Showy Primrose – to my Beautifulflowerpictures.com website.
Showy Primrose is the second wildflower photograph from my trip to Texas earlier this year. The Showy Primroses were one of the first wildflowers I saw as I drove north from Dallas. Along the sides of the road I kept spotting these wonderful pink flower fluttering in the wind. Once I actually photographing – I quickly spotted a patch of the showy primroses to focus on. I the love combination of the pinks in the petals, the yellow/green in the center and the white/yellow stamens. The flowers were about 2″ across – so you can imagine how wonderful a large patch of them look blowing in a gentle Texas breeze. As I photographed them, I knew that I’d be printing up at least one of Showy Primrose photos – after all – who can resist pink wildflowers as beautiful as the showy primroses.
This photograph is available as either a 12 X 15″ or 20 X 26″ gallery-wrapped canvas. You can order Showy Primrose from my website.
