Oenothera stricta

RHS Plant Profile

fragrant evening primrose

Synonyms

Oenothera odorata misapplied

Herbaceous Perennial

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An upright, short-lived perennial with lance-shaped, bluish-green leaves to 15cm long forming a basal rosette. Leafy, upright flowering stems to 90cm tall bear scented, yellow flowers to 2.5cm across that open in the evening

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, 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

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–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

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
Plant Range: Chile to S Argentina, Desventurados Islands

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in an open position 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
Gravel garden
Wildlife gardens
Coastal
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free but may be susceptible to powdery mildews and a leaf spot and susceptible to root rot in heavy, wet soils