Oenothera fruticosa

RHS Plant Profile

narrow-leaved sundrops

Other common names

wild beet, sundrops

Synonyms

Oenothera fruticosa 'Sundrops'
Kneiffia linearis
Oenothera linearis

Herbaceous Perennial

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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.

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 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: 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