Oenothera fruticosa 'African Sun'

RHS Plant Profile
evening primrose 'African Sun'

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evening primrose 'African Sun' RHS
evening primrose 'African Sun' RHS
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Herbaceous Perennial
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A herbaceous perennial up to 60cm high with a rounded, compact habit, narrow green leaves and yellow flowers, open during the day, from early summer to early autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Onagraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by division in early spring, or by softwood cuttings of unflowered shoots from late spring to midsummer; propagation for resale is prohibited without a licence

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Gravel garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to leaf spot, powdery mildews and downy mildews; root rot may be a problem in rich, wet, heavy soil. Generally disease-free