Evening primrose
Oenothera glazioviana · Onagraceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant evening primrose: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Oenothera glazioviana
- Family
- Onagraceae
- Type
- Biennial or short-lived perennial herb
- Mature size
- 60 to 150 cm in height
- Flowering
- June to September, yellow flowers
- Foliage
- Deciduous, medium green, pubescent
- Hardiness
- Good, down to -15 °C
- Origin
- South America (Brazil)
Care
Watering
Water regularly during growth and flowering, without letting the soil dry out completely. Once established, evening primrose tolerates dry periods well. Reduce watering in autumn and winter.
Exposure
Place your plant in full sun (6 to 8 hours minimum per day) for abundant and generous flowering. Light shade is tolerated but compromises flower production.
Soil and drainage
Prefer well-draining soil, even slightly poor or sandy. Evening primrose dreads waterlogged conditions and compacted soil. Dry to moderate soil suits it perfectly.
Fertilizer
A balanced fertilizer application in spring is generally sufficient. Avoid excess nitrogen, which would promote foliage at the expense of flowers.
Pruning and maintenance
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to extend flowering. In late autumn, cut the plant back to ground level or let it self-seed naturally if you wish.
Diseases and pests
Evening primrose is generally very robust. Watch for powdery mildew in humid and stagnant conditions. Aphids may occasionally affect it. Good air circulation and sufficient drainage prevent most problems.
Did you know?
Oenothera glazioviana owes its scientific name to Hippolyte Auguste Doumet-Adanson, French botanist, and also pays homage to Brazilian collector Auguste-François-Marie Glaziou. This plant is famous among geneticists for having been the subject of revolutionary studies on spontaneous mutagenesis in the early twentieth century: Hugo de Vries observed the sudden appearance of radical genetic variants, thus contributing to modern understanding of evolution.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Pink evening primroseOenothera speciosa
- Hummingbird trumpetEpilobium canum
- Hardy fuchsiaFuchsia magellanica
- Evening primroseOenothera fruticosa
- Bolivian fuchsiaFuchsia boliviana
- ClockweedOenothera lindheimeri
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.