Oenothera speciosa (Evening Primrose)

Vigorous and showy, Oenothera speciosa (Evening Primrose) is a sprawling perennial featuring masses of fragrant, bowl-shaped, satiny white flowers, with the delicate texture of crumpled silk. Large, 2-3 in. wide (5-7 cm), the pretty flowers age to rose-pink with deeper pink veining.

Vigorous and showy, Oenothera speciosa (Evening Primrose) is a sprawling perennial featuring masses of fragrant, bowl-shaped, satiny white flowers, with the delicate texture of crumpled silk. Large, 2-3 in. wide (5-7 cm), the pretty flowers age to rose-pink with deeper pink veining. They rise on erect to sprawling stems atop rosettes of oblong to lance-shaped, toothed, medium green leaves. Blooming profusely from late spring to early fall, the flowers open in the evening and remain open until late morning. They are followed by oval seed capsules bearing 4 papery wings, ready to be blown out by the wind. A valuable plant for its ability to grow in poor soils and tolerate drought.

  • Winter hardy, this spreading perennial grows 10-24 in. tall (25-60 cm) and spreads by rhizomes to 18 in. (45 cm) or more. This plant will spread, sometimes aggressively, to form large colonies.
  • Best in full sun in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates poor soils, drought and light shade.
  • Great choice for prairies and meadows, wildflower gardens, coastal gardens or naturalized areas. May be planted in beds, borders or rock gardens. Makes a perfect full sun groundcover with its showy flowers
  • Easily grown from seed sown outdoors in fall or early spring.
  • No serious insect or disease issues. Deer resistant, this plant attracts birds
  • This perennial wildflower is native to 28 of the lower 48 U.S. states as well as Mexico

Requirements

Hardiness 4
– 9

Heat Zones 1
– 8

Climate Zones 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Oenothera – Primroses – Sundrops
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)Fall
Height 10"
– 2'
(25cm
– 60cm)
Spread 1'
– 2'
(30cm
– 60cm)
Spacing 12″
– 18″
(30cm
– 45cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, California, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Northeast, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Utah, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Ground Covers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow