How to Grow Evening Primrose (Oenothera) and Possible Problems

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There are numerous species in the evening primula genus ( Oenothera ) . Some go by the common name “ eventide primrose ” while others are recognize as “ sundrops . ” Each can tot a beautiful burst of vividness to the garden and profit aboriginal wildlife including pollinators .

For more cottage - style plant life selection , also see growing lead forhollyhocks , lilac , andpeonies .

Evening primrose blooming in the garden.

Evening primrose growing in the garden

Growing Evening Primrose

Herbaceous flowering plant• Hardiness zones 3 to 9•Full sun – at least 6 total hours of direct sun per day• Light loam or arenaceous soil• SomeOenotheraflowers open just in evening , evolving with specific evening pollinators.• hold back your specific variety for any known aggressive reseeding or spreading .

eventide primrose ( Oenothera ) is one of many florescence perennials in my own cottage - style garden .

It started with a single industrial plant and over just a few years has spread quite assertively in the flaxen soil .

Yellow evening primrose flowers.

But , unlike horrific invasive or belligerent plants that circularise by root - runners deep in the stain , eve primrose is not hard to control .

If I want a wide swath of yellow , I leave it alone . If I want to shorten it , I both divide the plants and skip back the flowers after blossom ( to forestall seeds from mould ) .

Evening Primrose Species

There are quite a number ofOenotheravarieties ( 145 species ) , with different shape and colors ( yellow , pink , blank ) . I am very warm of theOenothera fruticosa(“sundrops ” ) with bold , lily-livered loving cup - like heyday petal and orange - red stamens . The flower buds also have a gorgeous rich reddish color which stands out in the spring garden .

Here in my sandy , very well - enfeeble filth , they spread fairly rapidly , forming colonies throughout the garden beds . Every class or two I remove a bunch to keep them in check .

WhichOenotheraare considered native will look on your location .

Evening primrose yellow flowers and bee.

Species Examples

These are all attractive to various specialist bee , hummingbird , and moth and routine as larval innkeeper plant ( plants a species requires for selection ) for various mintage of wood - nymphs , sphinx , and more .

Oenothera Plant Facts & Growing Tips

Related : Want Lots of Pollinators ? Grow a Diverse Selection of plant life

Frequently-Asked Questions

Yes , some evening primrose is invasive or belligerent in some areas . There are both recurrent and annual varieties . Before planting , contain what is native or non - native in your part . Here in southwestern Ontario , Canada , I find the root require division each year as they exposit speedily . I also ignore the plants back after flower to blockade them from producing and sowing seeds . Thankfully , it is soft to reduce or remove .

Yes , you could rise eventide primrose in containers . I think you’re able to grow just about anything in a container so long as you have adequate etymon blank space , unspoilt potting mix , provide light and water as needed , and have suitable wintertime storage . I keep various perennial in container and put them in the shed or garage from crepuscule to spring . A script pushcart / hand truck makes it much easier to move them around .

brute reliant on eve primrose includeSchinia felicitaandS. floridamoths that feed exclusively on the Oenothera genus . Pollination is provide by various moth , bee , and insects , although the social structure of the blossom limits the issue of open pollinator . Some eve primula open their flower in the evening and are therefore used bynocturnal pollinator like moths .

Evening primrose growing in the garden.

It ’s not necessary to prune evening primrose for introductory plant health but repeated varieties can be cut down back after blooming to forestall the forming of semen if you do n’t want them self - seeding .

Resources

Plant Hardiness Zones|United States|CanadaThese are list on seed packet and plant tag to point your choices .

Average Frost Dates| Usethis calculatorat Almanac.com . enrol your city and state of matter or responsibility to determine your first and last freeze dates and number of frost - loose days .

Ecoregion| get word about local native plants , beast species , and environmental term to make garden option that do good your ecosystem .

Evening primrose flowers.