Description
Evening primrose is a member of the Oenothera family and also is commonly called sundrops or desert evening primrose. Most gardeners treat evening primrose as an annual, but they are biennial or perennials that reseed themselves. Blooms. The plant’s blooms open in the late afternoon and evening and close throughout the day, attracting a different set of nighttime pollinators. Mature size. Blue Evening Primrose grows 3 to 6 feet tall with a spread of 2 to 3 feet. The evening primrose, or Oenothera biennis, is a wildflower that thrives in almost any condition. As long as you give it plenty of light and well-draining soil, chances are your evening primrose plants will be more than happy. Germination. Direct sow them in autumn in a location that boasts full sun. Sow the seeds on top of the soil and water the well. Seeds should germinate in 30 days. Common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) has plenty of admirers thanks to its beautiful and delicate appearance, but just as many people view this feisty floral as an invasive and temperamental weed. Native to North America, the flower is best sown in late fall, will grow quickly and bloom each summer, beginning its second year of life. Fragrant, four-petaled flowers bloom above a basal rosette of leafy branched stems. Evening primrose self-seeds, so it’s possible that unless properly cared for, it could easily take over your garden. Still, its pretty, lemon-scented yellow flowers can lure many gardeners with their beauty. The plant’s blooms open in the late afternoon and evening and close throughout the day, attracting a different set of nighttime pollinators, such as moths and bats. How to Grow Evening Primrose From Seed Once you get evening primrose seeds, direct sow them in autumn in a location that boasts full sun where the soil has been previously cultivated. Sow the seeds on top of the soil and water well. After germination, thin the seedlings so that they are approximately 1 foot apart. The seeds need a cold period, called stratification, in order to germinate. If you sow seeds indoors, use a small container filled with moistened seed-starting mix, sow the seeds on top of the soil, cover, and place in the refrigerator to mimic a natural chilling period. Take out in late winter to pot up the plants when they have two sets of true leaves.
- Blooms. The plant’s blooms open in the late afternoon and evening and close throughout the day, attracting a different set of nighttime pollinators.
- Mature size. Blue Evening Primrose grows 3 to 6 feet tall with a spread of 2 to 3 feet.
