I had never heard of this splendid plant before joining the Making Trash Bloom project and am now amazed to be spotting them all along the roadside as I commute to work. In several places, it is growing straight from cracks along a concrete divider in the middle of a highway. For a plant with a name that makes it sound delicate and fussy, evening primrose is pretty tough! It thrives in newly established or disturbed landscapes and then generally disappears after a few years, as perennial wildflowers establish. The seeds remain in the ground for up to 70 years, however, and will germinate if the soil is disturbed again. This is a biennial plant, meaning that it takes two years to complete its life cycle. During the first year after germination, the plant grows basal leaves close to the ground and does not develop flowers and seeds until the second year. 

The flowers have a lovely lemony scent that seems appropriate to match their yellow blooms. Oenothera have an interesting adaptation where their pollen is held together by sticky threads, and you may see bees flying away with these yellow strings hanging from their bodies. Some scientists think this adaptation increases the amount of pollen picked up by moths, which are the main pollinators of this plant. The blossoms are closed during the day and open in the evening, hence their name. Many bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds frequent the blooms before they close for the day. Evening primrose is required by the primrose miner bee (Anthedonia compta) which specializes in eating primrose pollen, as well as by the primrose moth (Schinia florida). I hope someday to be lucky enough to spot a primrose moth, which not only has pink caterpillars that feed on primrose leaves, but shockingly bright pink and yellow adults as well. Even though I may be tempted, I promise not to stop on the side of the road to look for them!

Check out the information below to see if this native might be a good fit for your yard!

Bloom Time: July through September

Height: 2'-6' H

Cultivation: Native Virginia biennial. Best in full sun, average well drained soil. Seeds are small enough to be wind dispersed. Collect seeds August to November. Stratification is needed for indoor propagation by seed. Plant has a fleshy taproot not suitable for root propagation.

Pollination/Insect Interaction: Oenotheras are host plants for at least 16 moth and butterfly species. 

Other Wildlife: Birds, especially goldfinches, eat the seeds. Various beetles feed on the foliage. Small mammals eat roots and leaves of young plants; generally deer resistant.