Evening pollinators flock to the fragrant blooms of this almost-too-easy-to-grow herbaceous night-bloomer.
Evening primrose (Oenotheraspp.)
features cupped flowers in sunny yellows, moony whites, and soft pinks.
Credit: Gerry Whitmont / Getty Images
Placement requirements vary among the varieties, but most evening primroses prefer full sun and soil with excellent drainage.
They can even grow in rocky, barren soil where other plants would perish.
Start planting evening primrose from seed in the spring about 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost.
Credit: Gerry Whitmont / Getty Images
The spacing requirements differ by variety but should be based on the mature width of the plant.
If you dont know the eventual width of your variety, place the plantings about 12 inches apart.
it’s possible for you to direct-sow fresh seeds in the ground in the fall.
After planting, keep the soil consistently moist but not wet untilfreezing temperaturesarrive.
Be sure to choose a very deep pot at least 2 inches wider than the root system.
Temperature and Humidity
Evening primrose is a sun-loving plant that prefers temperatures between 64F and 72F.
Evening primroses prefer a dry to only moderately humid environment.
Prolonged high humidity may cause your plants to develop fungal infections, such as leaf rot or botrytis blight.
Pests and Problems
Aphids, leafhoppers, and spider mites are common pests for evening primrose plants.
If any of these develop, your plants might still be salvageable.
Before tossing them,amend the soil with compostor relocate the plants to an area with better drainage.
Next, fill the hole with water.
Credit: Gerry Whitmont / Getty Images
When it drains, refill it with water and wait for it to drain again.
In soil with good drainage, the level should drop about an inch per hour.
If you already have plants, you dont need to buy seeds.
Credit: CC BY-2.0/Flickr/Harry Rose
you might harvest themstraight from your existing plantswhen the seed pods turn brown and papery.
Just capture them before the seed pods open and spill the seeds to the ground.
Carefully dig up a root system and slice the roots into equal sections with asharp, sterile blade.
Plant each new section at least 6 to 12 inches apart.
Each flower may reach 5 inches across, and the plants grow 6 inches tall.
Unlike other evening primroses, Lemon drop flowers stay open during the day.
This variety blooms in spring and summer and grows 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide.
Its pretty and easy to grow, but showy evening primrose is a bit of a garden bed bully.
you could also plant it in rocky, infertile soil to slow its growth.
The 12-inch-tall plants bear softly hairy lance-shaped leaves on slender stems.
It features masses of fragrant,saucer-shaped bloomsthat typically measure 2 inches across and have bright yellow centers.
Flowers appear from late spring to midsummer and are followed by seed capsules easily captured by the wind.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
It can be aggressive if it is not managed or contained.
It features sunny yellow petals, sometimes tipped in pale yellow or white.
It has a creeping, shrubby growth habit.
It is hardy as a perennial in Zones 8-11 but can be grown as an annual in Zones 3-8.
Evening Primrose Companion Plants
Loosestrife
Loosestrife(Lysimachiaspp.)
is a vigorous grower and beautiful addition to almost any garden.
They vary from tall, stately plants suitable for borders to others that can be planted as creeping groundcovers.
The blooms vary toofrom tight spikes of 1/2 inch to 1-inch cups carried alone or in whorls.
Humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil is recommended (although some varieties enjoy wet soil and ample water).
Several sorts may become aggressive and need to be corralled.
Despite its common name sneezeweed, it wont aggravate your allergies.
It is so named because the flowers were made into snuff and used to induce sneezing to clear congestion.
Zones 3-8
Daylily
Dayliliesare so easy to grow youll often find them thriving in ditches and fields.
The strappy foliage of daylilies may be evergreen or deciduous.
you’ve got the option to add even more color with a series of optional spring bulbs likedaffodilsandtulips.
Most primroses feature clusters of dainty blossoms held at the end of long stalks.
Yes, the roots, leaves, flowers, and seeds are edible.
Theyre often eaten as salads or as a cooked vegetable.
Just be careful no pesticides have been used on the evening primrose that you plan to eat.
