Oenothera macrocarpa
Back to Previous Page
   
Tried and True Recommended by 5 Professionals
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: Missouri evening primrose
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Onagraceae
Zone: 3 to 7
Native Range: Southern and central United States
Garden Location: Kemper Center Landscape, Suzanne Stagg Wright Rock Garden
Height: 0.75 to 1 feet
Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet
Bloom Time: May to August
Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Description: Yellow
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers, Fragrant Flowers
Fruit: Showy Fruit
Tolerates: Clay Soil, Dry Soil, Shallow, Rocky Soil, Drought
Uses: Rain Garden

Culture

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates poor and/or limy soils, drought and some light shade. Easily grown from seed and will self-seed under optimum growing conditions.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Missouri evening primrose is a sprawling, Missouri native plant which occurs on limestone glades and bluffs and rocky prairies in the Ozark region south of the Missouri River. Typically grows 6-12" tall and features very large (3-5" across), solitary, 4-petaled, mildly fragrant, bright yellow flowers which open for only one day (usually open late afternoon and remain open until the following morning). Flowers arise from leaf axils and are generally upward-facing, but sometimes rest on or touch the ground. Long spring to summer bloom period. Flowers are followed by somewhat unique, winged seed pods (2-3" long). Narrow, lance-shaped leaves. This species was formerly called (and is still often listed for sale as) Oenothera missouriensis.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Root rot may occur in wet, poorly drained soils.

Garden 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.

Back to Previous Page