Evening Primrose
Botanical name: Oenothera
Evening Primrose
Botanical name: Oenothera
Description
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.
Species of Evening Primrose
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pinkladies 'Rosea'
The pinkladies 'Rosea' (Oenothera speciosa 'Rosea') 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 pinkladies 'Rosea' 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.
Lindheimer's beeblossom 'Whirling Butterflies'
The lindheimer's beeblossom 'Whirling Butterflies' (Oenothera lindheimeri 'Whirling Butterflies') 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 lindheimer's beeblossom 'Whirling Butterflies' 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.
Scarlet beeblossom
The scarlet beeblossom (Oenothera suffrutescens) 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 scarlet beeblossom 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lindheimer's beeblossom 'Siskiyou Pink'
The lindheimer's beeblossom 'Siskiyou Pink' (Oenothera lindheimeri 'Siskiyou Pink') 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 lindheimer's beeblossom 'Siskiyou Pink' 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hartweg's sundrops
The hartweg's sundrops (Oenothera hartwegii subsp. hartwegii) 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 hartweg's sundrops 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.
Oenothera calcicola
The oenothera calcicola (Oenothera calcicola) 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 oenothera calcicola 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.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Vascular plants Class
Dicotyledons Order
Myrtle order Family
Evening primrose Genus
Evening Primrose 
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