Oenothera biennis

RHS Plant Profile
common evening primrose

Other common names

coffee plant, fever plant, field primrose, four o'clock, German rampion, large rampion, night willowherb, scabbish, scurvish, wild four o'clock, cure-all

Synonyms

Oenothera odorata Hook. & Arn.
Oenothera stucchii
Oenothera rubricaulis
Oenothera glabra Miller
Oenothera pycnocarpa
Oenothera paradoxa
Oenothera ersteinensis

Plants for pollinators
Annual Biennial

A hairy annual or biennial usually grown as a binennial, to 1.5m, with a large basal rosette of slightly sticky, oblong red-veined mid-green leaves and long, leafy racemes of bowl-shaped, fragrant, yellow flowers which open in the evening in summer and autumn; evening primrose oil produced from seeds

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H7

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Onagraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews and a leaf spot