Evening primrose

Plant family

Evening Primrose family (Onagraceae)

Also known as

Suncups, Sundrops

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Dry

Soil

Light (sandy)

Nutrient requirement

Low

Light germinator

Seeding distance

50 cm

Row spacing

50 cm

Seeding depth

1 cm

Instructions

Description

The plant genus evening primrose belongs to the evening primrose family (Onagraceae). There are 120-200 species, which are annual or perennial and herbaceous. The flowers are white, yellow or pink to purple. Biennial species bloom only in the 2nd year. Evening primrose is grown as an ornamental, medicinal, and food plant. The taproots are harvested starting in October and used like salsify, the leaves in spring, use like spinach. However, some species of the genus Oenothera are not edible! The flowers open only at dusk and can be used as decoration for salads. Insect friendly.

Growing tips

Self-sows, as the plant produces many seeds. For a harvest of the roots, sow the seeds only from mid-May. To avoid self-seeding, cut back the flowers. Spray occasionally with plant fumigants against diseases and pests. Frost tolerant. Light germinator. Planting distance depends on species and variety. Good with summer flowering plants, in insect and butterfly gardens, and in herb and medicinal plant gardens.