Oenothera speciosa
white evening primrose
A herbaceous perennial about 30cm high, with creeping rhizomes, basal rosettes of oblong-lance-shaped to lance-shaped mid-green leaves, 2.5-5cm long, which have large triangular teeth or are pinnatifid, arching stems with slightly smaller leaves, and saucer-shaped flowers, up to 8cm across, which open white in the day and become pale pink in the evening, from early summer to early autumn; it is occasionally invasive
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Pink White | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Onagraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Suckering
- Genus
Oenothera can be annuals, biennials or perennials, upright or spreading in habit, with simple or lobed leaves and bowl-shaped, white, yellow or pink flowers over a long period in summer
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- USA, Mexico
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in poor to only moderately fertile, very well-drained soil, even stony soil, in full sun
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in early spring, or by division in early spring, or by softwood cuttings of unflowered shoots from late spring to midsummer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Prairie planting
- Low Maintenance
- Banks and slopes
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Diseases
Generally disease-free but may be affected by leaf spot, powdery mildews and downy mildews; root rot may be a problem in rich, wet, heavy soil
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