Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
$4.00
Out of stock
Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
A fascinating, structural biennial that dances to its own rhythm. Known for its unique "moonlight" blooms that open at dusk and close by mid-morning, it adds a touch of mystery and nighttime magic to the garden.
🌿 Key Traits
Night Bloomer: Fragrant, lemon-yellow flowers unfurl rapidly in the evening, often right before your eyes.
Unique Life Cycle: Spends its first year as a low rosette of leaves, then sends up a dramatic flowering stalk in its second year.
Impressive Height: Can reach 3–6 feet tall, creating a bold vertical statement.
Edible History: Historically used as both a food source (roots and shoots) and for its medicinal oil.
☀️ Growing Conditions
Light: ☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade; very adaptable to various light levels.
Soil: 🌱 Thrives in poor, sandy, or rocky soils; avoids heavy, waterlogged ground.
Water: 💧 Low to Medium; highly drought-tolerant once the taproot is established.
Hardiness: ❄️ Zones 4–9.
🌎 Ecological Benefits
Moth Magnet: A primary nectar source for Sphinx moths and other nocturnal pollinators.
Specialist Support: The primary host plant for the stunning Primrose Moth, whose pink-and-yellow caterpillars mimic the flowers.
Bird Buffet: Produces an abundance of seeds that are a critical winter food source for Goldfinches and Juncos.
Pioneer Species: Excellent for "rewilding" disturbed areas or filling in gaps in a new meadow.
📋 Quick Stats
Type: Biennial (Self-seeding)
Bloom Time: June – September (Evening/Early Morning)
Spacing: 1–2 feet apart
Self-Seeding: Spreads easily by seed; perfect for naturalizing wilder areas of the landscape.
Photo credit: Christian Ferrer