Oenothera

( ee - noh - THEER - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Oenothera, also called Evening Primrose or Sundrops, is a genus of perennial and biennial flowering plants that that are prized for their blooms in shades of yellow, pink and white. They display their blooms either during the day or at night, and some are fragrant. These plants will survive harsh conditions and neglect. Grow Sundrops in containers, in the outskirts of gardens for quick color, in mixed beds, or to spill over walls and steps. These plants are also great in rock gardens, natural gardens, and informal gardens.

Oenothera Species and Varietals

Oenothera is a genus of about 145 species and is the type genus member of the plant family Onagraceae. The best growing zones for Evening Primrose vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Oenothera albicaulis (Prairie Evening Primrose, White-Stem Evening Primrose, Whitish Evening Primrose, Whitest Evening Primrose)
These plants are native to North America and produce beautiful white flowers with protruding white stamens. 

Oenothera berlandieri (Berlandier's Sundrops)
This species is native to south-central United States and northern Mexico, where it grows on dry prairies and rocky or sandy areas. It forms a semi-woody perennial subshrub that produces showy yellow flowers in summertime. 

Oenothera biennis (Common Evening Primrose, Evening Star, Sundrop, Weedy Evening Primrose, German Rampion, Hog Weed, King's Cure-All, Fever Plant)
Used to create Evening Primrose Oil, these plants are native to eastern and central North America. Individual biennial plants reach over 5 feet tall in their second year of growth. Flowers bloom from late spring through late summer, and are yellow.

Oenothera caespitosa (Tufted Fragrant, White Evening Primrose, Desert Evening Primrose, Fragrant Evening Primrose)
This species of Evening Primrose is either a perennial or biennial and grows well in zones 1-3, 7-14 and 18-21. It is native to western areas in the United States and reaches 8-12 inches tall and 2 feet wide. Foliage is grey-green and fuzzy and flowers are fragrant and fade from white to pink, opening in the evening. Flowers bloom profusely in late spring and early summertime.

Oenothera californica (California Evening Primrose)
These plants are native to southwestern to northern California and Baja California, Mexico. These perennials produce a spreading upright stem that reaches up to 31 inches long, and flowers occur in upper leaf axils. They are typically white and fade to pink with age.

Oenothera curtiflora (Gaura parviflora) (Velvetweed, Velvety Gaura, Downy Gaura, Smallflower Gaura)
This  species is native to the United States and Mexico, and produces a 6.5 foot tall annual plant. Flower spikes are about a foot long, rising above the foliage and covered in greenish-pink flower buds. Blooms open at night or just before dawn and are pink.

Oenothera deltoides (Birdcage Evening Primrose, Basket Evening Primrose, Lion in a Cage, Devil's Lantern)
These plants are native to the southwestern United States and northern areas in Mexico. They grow in sandy or coastal habitats. Plants are greyish-green and produce 

Oenothera fruticosa (Sundrops)
This species grows best in zones 1-21 and is native to the eastern United States. It has an erect growing habit and grows to 2 feet tall and wide with reddish stems. Yellow flowers bloom from late spring through summertime, and open in daytime. Varieties include 'Fireworks' (with red flower buds and leaves that are tinted red), Oenothera fruticosa glauca (also called Oenothera fruticosa tetragona; with light yellow flowers and red stems), and 'Solstice' (with bright red summer foliage that darkens to burgundy in fall).

Oenothera gaura (Gaura biennis) (Biennial Gaura, Biennial Beeblossom)
These plants produces light pink flowers that age to vibrant reddish-pink in summertime. Flowers are very attractive to pollinators. These plants are native to North America, and reach about 6 feet tall when in bloom (foliage reaches about 3 feet tall).

Oenothera hartwegii (Hartweg's Sundrops)
This species is native to the deserts in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. These perennials typically reach between 12 and 18 inches tall when mature and in bloom and 24 inches wide. Green foliage is very thin. These plants can form a fantastic drought-tolerant groundcover that produces yellow flowers in summertime.

Oenothera lindheimeri (Lindheimer's Beeblossom, White Gaura, Pink Gaura, Lindheimer's Clockweed, Indian Feather)
These plants are native to an area that stretches from Louisiana through Texas, and forms a plant that reaches between 20 and 60 inches tall when mature and in bloom. Flower spikes rise above foliage, supporting delicate white to pink flowers with long stamens. Flowers bloom from the beginning of springtime through the first frost of the cooler months.

Oenothera macrocarpa (Bigfruit Evening Primrose, Ozark Sundrops, Missouri Evening Primrose, Missouri Primrose)
These plants are native to southcentral United States and northern Mexico. They produce red stems up to 18 inches tall that hold large flowers up to 5 inches across. Blooms are typically canary yellow with a mild fragrance. 

Oenothera nuttallii (Nuttal's Evening Primrose, White-Stemmed Evening Primrose)
Native to western Canada and the north-central United States, these wildflowers reach about 2 feet tall when mature and in bloom and are typically found in grasslands, sagebrush landscapes, and plains. This species prefers sandy soils to perform well.

Oenothera odorata
Native to South America, these plants reach between 24 and 36 inches tall when mature and in bloom. They produce summertime flowers that open yellow and turn red with age. 

Oenothera pallida (Pale Evening Primrose)
These plants are native to British Colombia, the western United States and northern Mexico. They produce white flowers that fade to pink with age. Plants typically reach about 

Oenothera rosea (Rosy Evening Primrose, Rose Evening Primrose, Pink Evening Primrose, Rose of Mexico)
These plants are native to the Americas, but have naturalized in many areas of the world. Blooms are less than an inch in diameter, and vary in color from pink to red. These plants reach up to two feet tall when mature and in bloom.

Oenothera serrulata (Yellow Sundrops, Halfshrub Sundrop, Serrate-Leaved Evening Primrose, Shrubby Evening Primrose, Plains Yellow Primrose, Halfleaf Sundrop)
These plants, native to central North America, form a bushy clump of foliage to 18 inches tall. Foliage is green, and flowers are white, fading to pink or orange as they age. Bloom time for this species is between March and November. These plants are both heat and drought-tolerant, and can grow in many types of substrate.

Oenothera speciosa (Pinkladies, Pink Evening Primrose, Showy Evening Primrose, Mexican Primrose, Buttercups)
These herbaceous perennial wildflowers have smooth stems and are native to grasslands in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Flowers bloom from March to July, and are shell-pink.

Oenothera suffulta (Roadside Gaura, Honeysuckle Gaura, Kisses)
These flowers are endemic to an area that ranges from Texas through Oklahoma, and are annuals. They reach about 4 feet tall in a single growing season, and form a rosette of leaves towards their bae. Leaves are smooth, wavy or toothed-edged, and lower leaf surfaces are hairy. Flowers emerge from April through June, and blooms are borne on tall spikes that rise above foliage. Blossoms are white.

Oenothera suffrutescens (Scarlet Beeblossom, Scarlet Gaura)
These plants form perennial herbaceous subshrubs with woody bases and heavy roots. Stems range in length from 4 inches to over three feet long. Flowers are typically white to yellow in color, and fade to orange or pink with age. Flowers are strongly scented. Use these plants in wildflower gardens, or in outer edges of the landscape where spreading, deep rhizomes will not interfere with other plantings.

Oenothera versicolor (Red Evening Primrose, Sundrops, Red Sundrops, Orange Evening Primrose)
These plants are native to South America, and are popularly cultivated as garden ornamentals in many areas of the world. These bushy perennials reach just over three feet tall, and produce flowers on spikes that rise above foliage. Blooms are reddish-orange, and a open during the day.

Caring for Oenothera

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

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Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: Oenothera
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 459, Oenothera
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