Evening primrose
Oenothera spp.
Also known as
Sun drops, Sun cups
Gaura lindheimeri at Comox and Jervis, Vancouver by Wendy Cutler (CC BY 2.0)
Full Sun
Moderate watering
Frost Hardy
H4
RHS hardiness
-10°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
60cm | Max | 45cm |
30cm | Min | -30cm |
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
More images of Evening primrose
Evening primrose Overview
Oenothera is a genus containing around 157 annual, biennial and herbaceous perennial plants in the Onagraceae family. They are native to the Americas where they act as primary colonisers and are most often found in areas of disturbed soils. Some species are commonly known as Evening Primrose for their yellow flowers that open at night, they are not related to the true primrose family, Primulaceae. They are cultivated for their attractive blooms and long flowering period. They can thrive with some neglect in poor soils and full sun.
Common problems with Evening primrose
How to propagate Evening primrose
Division
You can propagate by seed or division in autumn or spring.
Seed
Cuttings
Softwood cuttings in late spring.
Special features of Evening primrose
Attractive flowers
Other uses of Evening primrose
Grown for their profuse but short-lived flowers in summer. Suitable for coastal conditions. Oenothera biennis is used medicinally.
Garden Biennials
A biennial plant takes two years to complete it's flowering cycle but worth the wait.
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