Clockweed
Oenothera lindheimeri · Onagraceae
📷 Didier Descouens · CC BY-SA 4.0
The gardener's calendar
Clockweed is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Oenothera lindheimeri
- Family
- Onagraceae
- Form
- Perennial herbaceous plant
- Mature height
- Around 100 cm
- Flowering
- May to September
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Hardiness
- Moderate, temperate to warm climate
- Origin
- Texas (United States)
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Oenothera lindheimeri blooms best in light, dry to moderately fresh soil, and full sun.
The common mistake
Treating it like a water-loving perennial makes it soft and prone to disease.
The pro's trick
Plant it on a slope, in a rock garden, or raised bed to keep the base well-aerated.
Care
Light
Lindheimer's evening primrose appreciates full sun for generous and prolonged flowering. It tolerates very sunny and hot locations well. Position it in a spot receiving at least 6 hours of direct daily sunlight for best results.
Watering
Once established, this plant is very drought-tolerant and requires little water. Water moderately during the growing period, then gradually reduce watering in autumn. During prolonged dry spells, occasional watering is sufficient to maintain the plant.
Soil and drainage
Lindheimer's evening primrose prefers well-draining, light, and not overly rich soil. A slightly sandy or calcareous substrate suits it perfectly. Avoid compact and damp soils that promote root rot.
Pruning and maintenance
Cut back the plant in late winter or early spring to encourage compact growth and stimulate flowering. Remove faded flowers throughout the season to prolong blooming and maintain a neat appearance.
Fertilizing
This frugal plant requires minimal nutrient inputs. A balanced fertilizer applied lightly in spring is more than sufficient. Avoid excess nitrogen, which would promote foliage at the expense of flowers.
Health and pests
Lindheimer's evening primrose is generally robust and rarely susceptible to disease. Ensure good drainage to prevent any fungal problems. It may occasionally attract pollinating insects without causing real harm.
Did you know?
Lindheimer's evening primrose is named after German botanist and explorer Ferdinand Lindheimer, who traveled through Texas in the 19th century and collected many plant species. Its pale yellow flowers open late in the afternoon and close at dawn, hence the name 'oenothera,' which literally means 'wine hunter' in ancient Greek — a poetic etymology reflecting its enigmatic behavior.
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
- Fuchsia regiaFuchsia regia
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.