Common Name: Missouri evening primrose
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Onagraceae
Zone: 5 to 9
Height: 0.25 to 0.50 feet
Spread: 1.25 to 1.75 feet
Bloom Time: May to August
Bloom Description: Yellow
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy
Leaf: Colorful
Tolerate: Drought, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil
Culture
Easily grown in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates some part afternoon shade and some drought.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Oenothera is a genus of about 125 species of annuals, biennials and herbaceous perennials mostly from North America with a few species from South America. They are grown from their lovely flowers in shades of yellow, white or pink depending upon the species.
Genus name is unclear but may have come from the Greek words oinos and theras meaning wine-seeker in probable reference to an ancient use of the roots of genus plants in scenting wine.
'Evening Sun' is a low growing selection of evening primrose that features lanceolate, grey-green foliage on spreading, prostrate stems. The stems bear bright, lemon yellow, cup-shaped blooms from late spring through summer. Mature clumps will reach 3-6" tall and 1.25-1.75' wide.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Best in border fronts or rock gardens. Also effective in wild gardens, meadows, cottage gardens or native plant gardens. A showy plant which can be grown in poor, dryish soils.