Oenothera macrocarpa (Ozark Sundrops)

This showy evening primrose, is a sprawling perennial that will turn heads. It is packed with very large, mildly fragrant, bright yellow flowers that rise atop a foliage of narrow lance-shaped leaves with conspicuous silvery midribs.

This showy evening primrose, is a sprawling perennial that will turn heads. Oenothera macrocarpa (Ozark Sundrops) is packed with very large, mildly fragrant, bright yellow flowers that rise atop a foliage of narrow lance-shaped leaves with conspicuous silvery midribs. Blooming profusely from late spring to early fall, the flowers open for only one day, usually late afternoon and wither the next day. They are followed by very distinctive seed pods bearing 4 papery wings, ready to be blown out by the wind.

  • Winter hardy, this low-growing perennial grows only 6-12 in. tall (15-30 cm) and spreads 12-18 in. (30-45 cm).
  • Best in full sun in dry to medium, well-drained soils. Tolerates poor soils, drought and light shade.
  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Great choice for rock gardens, cottage gardens, city gardens, Mediterranean gardensedging, groundcover, banks and slopes, or containers. Deer resistant!
  • Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in early spring
  • Native to Mexico and the south-central United States.

Requirements

Hardiness 3
– 7

Heat Zones 3
– 8

Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Oenothera – Primroses – Sundrops
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)Fall
Height 6"
– 1'
(15cm
– 30cm)
Spread 1'
– 2'
(30cm
– 60cm)
Spacing 12″
– 18″
(30cm
– 45cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Southeast, Arkansas, Tennessee, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Clay Soil, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden