Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Herbaceous Perennial

Oenothera fruticosa
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

narrow-leaved sundrops

A deciduous, clump-forming perennial with narrow, bright green leaves and in summer, large bright yellow flowers which appear during the day, rather than the evening.

Other common names
wild beet
sundrops
Synonyms
Oenothera fruticosa 'Sundrops'
Kneiffia linearis
see moreOenothera linearis
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring
Summer Yellow Green
Autumn Yellow
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Onagraceae
Native to the UK
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

Correct

Plant range
Central and E USA

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

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Coastal
  • Low Maintenance
  • Ground cover
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and aphids

Diseases

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

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.