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Evening Primrose (Oenothera)
Also known as : Suncups
The evening Primrose (Oenothera) are a group of herbaceous flowering plants. These plants are so-called because many of them bloom at dusk and stay open overnight – because of this trait, they are an important source of food for nighttime pollinators, such as moths and bats. Many evening Primrose are planted ornamentally. They are especially popular in the American southwest, where they are prized for their showy flowers and their high tolerance to drought.
Lifespan
Biennial
Plant Type
Herb/Vine
Key Facts About Evening Primrose
Feedback
Attributes of Evening Primrose
Plant Height
30 cm
Spread
25 cm
Flower Color
Yellow
Pink
Leaf type
Semi-evergreen
Ideal Temperature
20 - 35 ℃
Scientific Classification of Evening Primrose
Phylum
Vascular plants
Class
Dicotyledons
Order
Myrtle order
Family
Evening primrose
Genus
Evening Primrose
Distribution of Evening Primrose
Feedback
Distribution Map of Evening Primrose
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Evening Primrose
Feedback
Evening Primrose are low-maintenance, sun-loving plants that handle moderate drought well. Basic care includes a sunny location, well-draining soil, regular water, and mild temperatures. Challenges can arise from pests like aphids and leaf miners, or diseases like powdery mildew. Seasonally, evening Primrose benefit from reduced watering in winter, frequent checks for pests in spring and summer, and clean-up of spent flowers in fall. This manageable care profile makes them an attractive choice for many gardeners.
How to Water Evening Primrose?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Evening Primrose?
How to Propagate Evening Primrose?
How to Plant Evening Primrose?
Exploring the Evening Primrose Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Rose evening primrose
Rose evening primrose (Oenothera rosea) is an attractive perennial flower from Mexico and the southwest U.S. It grows best in well-drained soil on prairies and meadows and can tolerate both direct and partial sunlight. Its bright flowers bloom from late spring to mid-summer. As the name suggests, they open in the evening and remain so until morning. The seed pods have a papery texture.
Pinkladies
Pinkladies natives to the grasslands in the Central United States but spread outside its native states quickly. Today, it has been naturalized in a total of 28 states in the US and spreading as far south as Chihuahua and Coahuila in Mexico. Pinkladies is commonly used as an ornamental ground cover plant but escaped out from the gardens quickly.
Cutleaf evening primrose
Cutleaf evening primrose (Oenothera laciniata) is a biennial flowering shrub that only blooms at night. The cutleaf evening primrose's blossoms close up again by noon the following day. This species is native to the eastern United States.
Common evening-primrose
Common evening-primrose is an herbaceous perennial plant recognized by its yellow flowers, which open in the evening and close again at sunrise. It is often cultivated as a decorative plant, especially in drought-prone areas. Native Americans cooked Oenothera biennis roots as a food source, but it is said that consumption of this plant could cause headaches and diarrhea.
Lindheimer's beeblossom
Lindheimer's beeblossom (Oenothera lindheimeri) is a perennial plant native to the Louisiana and Texas regions of the United States. The Latin name for this species was formerly Gaura lindheimeri. Lindheimer's beeblossom is commonly grown as an ornamental plant in pots or flower beds. The plant grows well in full sunlight and can withstand drought conditions.
Narrowleaf evening primrose
Narrowleaf evening primrose (Oenothera fruticosa) is a flowering plant native to North America. The narrowleaf evening primrose grows in woodland areas and dry rocky soils and sometimes cultivated as ornamental plants. The taxonomy of this species is controversial in the scientific community, they can interbreed freely with many other evening primroses.
Large-flower evening-primrose
Large-flower evening-primrose (Oenothera glazioviana) is a biennial herb with unclear native origins. It likely originated in Europe or North America. Large-flower evening-primrose is also commonly known as large-flowered evening-primrose. This plant is cultivated as an ornamental plant, and considered an invasive species in some countries.
Fragrant evening-primrose
Fragrant evening-primrose (Oenothera stricta) is a short-lived perennial or annual flowering plant native to the Americas and introduced in other parts of the world. It produces distinct yellow flowers on a relatively tall stalk.
All Species of Evening Primrose
Rose evening primrose
Rose evening primrose
Rose evening primrose (Oenothera rosea) is an attractive perennial flower from Mexico and the southwest U.S. It grows best in well-drained soil on prairies and meadows and can tolerate both direct and partial sunlight. Its bright flowers bloom from late spring to mid-summer. As the name suggests, they open in the evening and remain so until morning. The seed pods have a papery texture.
Pinkladies
Pinkladies
Pinkladies natives to the grasslands in the Central United States but spread outside its native states quickly. Today, it has been naturalized in a total of 28 states in the US and spreading as far south as Chihuahua and Coahuila in Mexico. Pinkladies is commonly used as an ornamental ground cover plant but escaped out from the gardens quickly.
Cutleaf evening primrose
Cutleaf evening primrose
Cutleaf evening primrose (Oenothera laciniata) is a biennial flowering shrub that only blooms at night. The cutleaf evening primrose's blossoms close up again by noon the following day. This species is native to the eastern United States.
Common evening-primrose
Common evening-primrose
Common evening-primrose is an herbaceous perennial plant recognized by its yellow flowers, which open in the evening and close again at sunrise. It is often cultivated as a decorative plant, especially in drought-prone areas. Native Americans cooked Oenothera biennis roots as a food source, but it is said that consumption of this plant could cause headaches and diarrhea.
Lindheimer's beeblossom
Lindheimer's beeblossom
Lindheimer's beeblossom (Oenothera lindheimeri) is a perennial plant native to the Louisiana and Texas regions of the United States. The Latin name for this species was formerly Gaura lindheimeri. Lindheimer's beeblossom is commonly grown as an ornamental plant in pots or flower beds. The plant grows well in full sunlight and can withstand drought conditions.
Narrowleaf evening primrose
Narrowleaf evening primrose
Narrowleaf evening primrose (Oenothera fruticosa) is a flowering plant native to North America. The narrowleaf evening primrose grows in woodland areas and dry rocky soils and sometimes cultivated as ornamental plants. The taxonomy of this species is controversial in the scientific community, they can interbreed freely with many other evening primroses.
Large-flower evening-primrose
Large-flower evening-primrose
Large-flower evening-primrose (Oenothera glazioviana) is a biennial herb with unclear native origins. It likely originated in Europe or North America. Large-flower evening-primrose is also commonly known as large-flowered evening-primrose. This plant is cultivated as an ornamental plant, and considered an invasive species in some countries.
Fragrant evening-primrose
Fragrant evening-primrose
Fragrant evening-primrose (Oenothera stricta) is a short-lived perennial or annual flowering plant native to the Americas and introduced in other parts of the world. It produces distinct yellow flowers on a relatively tall stalk.
Hooker's evening primrose
Hooker's evening primrose
Hooker's evening primrose (*Oenothera elata*) is a perennial wildflower that will grow from 91 to 152 cm tall. Fragrant, yellow flowers bloom in summer with an extended bloom time. This species attracts butterflies and bees. It is not considered invasive, and it is native to California. Hooker's evening primrose grows best in sandy, well-drained soil.
Evening Primrose
Evening Primrose
Evening Primrose (*Oenothera pilosella*) is a mat-forming herbaceous perennial plant that grows in many soils and environments throughout its native spread in central North America. The plant is grown ornamentally for its showy yellow flowers, but care must be taken since it can spread aggressively. The shallow root system makes evening Primrose easy to move if needed.
Missouri Evening Primrose
Missouri Evening Primrose
Missouri Evening Primrose (Oenothera macrocarpa) is an herbaceous perennial sometimes used in alpine, wildflower and rock gardens. It can also be used as a ground cover. Sphinx moths pollinate its flowers, which bloom late spring through summer. Native to the southern and central United States.
Velvetweed
Velvetweed
Velvetweed, or Oenothera curtiflora, is a drought-tolerant succulent with pink or white blooms and fuzzy leaves. It is highly attractive to birds and butterflies. Deadhead its pretty flowers early to prevent extensive self-seeding.
Biennial Gaura
Biennial Gaura
Some may not appreciate the weedy appearance of biennial Gaura, but this flower has its place in building prairies. This biennial blooms late in the season, providing nectar for pollinators. It self-seeds easily due to its slender, bending stems that bob in the wind.
Stemless Evening Primrose
Stemless Evening Primrose
Stemless Evening Primrose (Oenothera triloba) is a native perennial wildflower that is commonly considered a weed as it shows up in lawns across North America. In early to late spring, it produces large yellow flowers that open at sunset and close the following day around noon. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.
Tufted Evening Primrose
Tufted Evening Primrose
Tufted Evening Primrose (Oenothera cespitosa) is a perennial that blooms from late spring to early summer with an abundance of flowers. Large, 5 to 8 cm wide white blossoms, with contrasting yellow stamens, open in afternoon and close the next morning. Thrives in full sun with dry to medium soil.
Berlandier's sundrops
Berlandier's sundrops
Berlandier's sundrops (Oenothera berlandieri subsp. berlandieri) is a sprawling bush that’s a member of the evening primrose family. It’s an indigenous North American species. If you’re growing it in your garden, keep in mind that it thrives best in full sun with infrequent watering. Another name for the plant is Mexican Primrose.
Fourwing evening primrose
Fourwing evening primrose
The flowering season is around summer-fall and the flowers are white at the beginning of the evening but light pink in the next morning.
Whitest Evening Primrose
Whitest Evening Primrose
Whitest Evening Primrose (Oenothera albicaulis) is a plant species native to the United States and Mexico. Whitest Evening Primrose is also known as prairie evening-primrose. This species was traditionally used by the Zuni people in rain ceremonies.
Birdcage evening primrose
Birdcage evening primrose
Birdcage evening primrose is a beautiful flower with heart-shaped, white petals. Compared to the leaves, the flowers of birdcage evening primrose are quite big. Unfortunately, these gorgeous flowers are short-lived: they open late in the day and last only for several days. After the flowering, the dried plant becomes woody, looking like a cage, and it tumbles in the wind.
Little evening primrose
Little evening primrose
Little evening primrose (Oenothera perennis) is an herbaceous perennial that blooms from spring to summer with clusters of yellow flowers that attract hummingbirds. It thrives in full sun with moist sandy or loamy well-drained soil.
Crownleaf evening primrose
Crownleaf evening primrose
The Oenothera coronopifolia is known as crownleaf evening primrose because of its unique shape resembles that of a royal crown. The Latin names translate loosely to "imbibe wine," however it is not used to make the beverage. Showy crownleaf evening primrose flowers are welcome additions to otherwise bleak desert landscapes, as the plants can withstand severe dry spells.
Least eveningprimrose
Least eveningprimrose
Least eveningprimrose (Oenothera parviflora) is a perennial wildflower also called the north evening primrose. Least eveningprimrose grows in meadows, fields, and near shores of rivers and lakes. This species is considered invasive in Europe, Asia, South Africa and New Zealand.
Yellow sundrops
Yellow sundrops
Native to central North America from Mexico to Canada, yellow sundrops are often used in horticulture for their attractive satiny flowers. The yellow flowers bloom between spring and fall, but they fade as the season progresses.
California evening primrose
California evening primrose
California evening primrose (Oenothera californica) is named for its native state in the US. This attractive wildflower plays host to many species of butterfly and moth. Its pink and white flowers have plenty of visual appeal and can be seen in the wild in chapparals and sandy locations. It is also a popular and easy to care for ornamental species.
Oakes's evening primrose
Oakes's evening primrose
Oakes's evening primrose is a common and salt-resistant plant that grows along beaches and is also often seen in meadows and across anthropogenically disturbed soils. The flowers tend to attract bees and butterflies.
Scarlet beeblossom
Scarlet beeblossom
Scarlet beeblossom is a tough and resilient perennial wildflower native to the Southwest. The bright red blooms attract bees, butterflies. Despite its name, it's not actually part of the bee family but is instead a member of the evening primrose family.
Lindheimer's beeblossom 'Whirling Butterflies'
Lindheimer's beeblossom 'Whirling Butterflies'
Lindheimer's beeblossom 'Whirling Butterflies' is a graceful perennial characterized by its tall, slender stems and airy clusters of delicate, white to pink flowers that resemble small butterflies in flight. The gaura-like blooms dance atop the foliage from late spring to autumn, thriving in full sun and well-drained soils. This plant's drought tolerance and continuous blooming make it a standout in any sunny garden space.
Pinkladies 'Rosea'
Pinkladies 'Rosea'
Pinkladies 'Rosea' is a delightful addition to any garden. Its delicate, pink flowers bloom profusely during the spring and summer months, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. This hardy wildflower thrives in various ecosystems, from meadows to prairies, and it can tolerate drought conditions. Its lovely pink blooms add a touch of beauty to landscapes and make it a favorite among garden enthusiasts.
Lindheimer's beeblossom 'Siskiyou Pink'
Lindheimer's beeblossom 'Siskiyou Pink'
Lindheimer's beeblossom 'Siskiyou Pink' boasts delicate, star-shaped pink blossoms towering on slender stalks, rising above narrow, lance-shaped leaves. Thriving in well-drained soils under full sun, this hardy perennial exhibits a bushy clump-forming habit, making it an eye-catching addition to garden borders. Its drought resistance is a testament to lindheimer's beeblossom 'Siskiyou Pink''s adaptability to warm, arid environments, reflecting its prairie origins.
Narrowleaf evening primrose 'Fyrverkeri'
Narrowleaf evening primrose 'Fyrverkeri'
Narrowleaf evening primrose 'Fyrverkeri' displays uniquely dark foliage, red stems and buds, and buttercup-yellow blooms. Cultivated as a sport from the Evening Primrose family, this variant's name translates to "fireworks" in large part due to its fiery summer coloration. Narrowleaf evening primrose 'Fyrverkeri' is a prestigious award winner for its large and bright flowers, colorful foliage, and long blooming season.
Roadside gaura
Roadside gaura
The roadside gaura (Oenothera suffulta) lives primarily in Texas and Oklahoma. It grows in open, sandy ground and moist conditions. Horticulturists often appreciate this plant's complex flowers and the fact that it brings in bees, butterflies, and nectar-seeking birds.
Pinkladies 'Siskiyou'
Pinkladies 'Siskiyou'
Pinkladies 'Siskiyou' is a Pinklady cultivar that offers delicate light satiny pink flowers with yellow eyes among mid-green foliage. It is shorter than the parent and less invasive. The name may refer to the mountain range in northern California. Gardeners love this plant because it is easy-care, extremely hardy, and very tolerant of poor soil. It is bird-friendly and attracts moths, honeybees, and bumblebees as pollinators.
More Popular Genus
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Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Evening Primrose
Oenothera
Also known as: Suncups
The evening Primrose (Oenothera) are a group of herbaceous flowering plants. These plants are so-called because many of them bloom at dusk and stay open overnight – because of this trait, they are an important source of food for nighttime pollinators, such as moths and bats. Many evening Primrose are planted ornamentally. They are especially popular in the American southwest, where they are prized for their showy flowers and their high tolerance to drought.
Lifespan
Biennial
Plant Type
Herb/Vine
Key Facts About Evening Primrose
Feedback
Attributes of Evening Primrose
Plant Height
30 cm
Spread
25 cm
Flower Color
Yellow
Pink
Leaf type
Semi-evergreen
Ideal Temperature
20 - 35 ℃
Scientific Classification of Evening Primrose
Phylum
Vascular plants Class
Dicotyledons Order
Myrtle order Family
Evening primrose Genus
Evening Primrose Distribution of Evening Primrose
Feedback
Distribution Map of Evening Primrose
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Evening Primrose
Feedback
Evening Primrose are low-maintenance, sun-loving plants that handle moderate drought well. Basic care includes a sunny location, well-draining soil, regular water, and mild temperatures. Challenges can arise from pests like aphids and leaf miners, or diseases like powdery mildew. Seasonally, evening Primrose benefit from reduced watering in winter, frequent checks for pests in spring and summer, and clean-up of spent flowers in fall. This manageable care profile makes them an attractive choice for many gardeners.
How to Water Evening Primrose?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Evening Primrose?
How to Propagate Evening Primrose?
How to Plant Evening Primrose?
Exploring the Evening Primrose Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Rose evening primrose
Rose evening primrose (Oenothera rosea) is an attractive perennial flower from Mexico and the southwest U.S. It grows best in well-drained soil on prairies and meadows and can tolerate both direct and partial sunlight. Its bright flowers bloom from late spring to mid-summer. As the name suggests, they open in the evening and remain so until morning. The seed pods have a papery texture.
Pinkladies
Pinkladies natives to the grasslands in the Central United States but spread outside its native states quickly. Today, it has been naturalized in a total of 28 states in the US and spreading as far south as Chihuahua and Coahuila in Mexico. Pinkladies is commonly used as an ornamental ground cover plant but escaped out from the gardens quickly.
Cutleaf evening primrose
Cutleaf evening primrose (Oenothera laciniata) is a biennial flowering shrub that only blooms at night. The cutleaf evening primrose's blossoms close up again by noon the following day. This species is native to the eastern United States.
Common evening-primrose
Common evening-primrose is an herbaceous perennial plant recognized by its yellow flowers, which open in the evening and close again at sunrise. It is often cultivated as a decorative plant, especially in drought-prone areas. Native Americans cooked Oenothera biennis roots as a food source, but it is said that consumption of this plant could cause headaches and diarrhea.
Show More Species
All Species of Evening Primrose
Rose evening primrose
Pinkladies
Cutleaf evening primrose
Common evening-primrose
Lindheimer's beeblossom
Narrowleaf evening primrose
Large-flower evening-primrose
Fragrant evening-primrose
Hooker's evening primrose
Evening Primrose
Missouri Evening Primrose
Velvetweed
Biennial Gaura
Stemless Evening Primrose
Tufted Evening Primrose
Berlandier's sundrops
Fourwing evening primrose
Whitest Evening Primrose
Birdcage evening primrose
Little evening primrose
Crownleaf evening primrose
Least eveningprimrose
Yellow sundrops
California evening primrose
Oakes's evening primrose
Scarlet beeblossom
Lindheimer's beeblossom 'Whirling Butterflies'
Pinkladies 'Rosea'
Lindheimer's beeblossom 'Siskiyou Pink'
Narrowleaf evening primrose 'Fyrverkeri'
Roadside gaura
Pinkladies 'Siskiyou'
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
