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Oenothera biennis (Common evening primrose)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
1-2 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Oenothera biennis
Other names
Common evening primrose, Large rampion, Night willowherb, Wild four o'clock, Scurvish, Night willowherb, Field primrose, Coffee plant, Cure-all, Fever plant, Oenothera glabra, Oenothera odorata
Genus
Oenothera Oenothera
Species
O. biennis - O. biennis is an erect, rosette-forming, hairy annual or biennial, usually grown as a biennial, with oblong to lance-shaped, toothed, slightly sticky, red-veined, mid-green leaves and, from summer into autumn, leafy, spike-like racemes of bowl-shaped, fragrant, yellow flowers opening in the evening.
Oenothera biennis is: Deciduous
Fragrance
Flower is scented.
Habit
Erect, Rosette
Flower
Pale-yellow in Summer; Pale-yellow in Autumn
Foliage
Green, Grey-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Leaf spot , Powdery mildew Leaf spot , Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning
Cut back after flowering. This is a very vigorous plant that can become a weed problem. Simply remove young plants where you do not want them growing.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Oenothera biennis (Common evening primrose) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Wildflower
Cultivation
Plant in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates some afternoon shade and moderate drought Tends to self-seed vigorously in ideal growing conditions.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Oenothera biennis
Other names
Common evening primrose, Large rampion, Night willowherb, Wild four o'clock, Scurvish, Night willowherb, Field primrose, Coffee plant, Cure-all, Fever plant, Oenothera glabra, Oenothera odorata
Genus
Oenothera Oenothera
Species
O. biennis - O. biennis is an erect, rosette-forming, hairy annual or biennial, usually grown as a biennial, with oblong to lance-shaped, toothed, slightly sticky, red-veined, mid-green leaves and, from summer into autumn, leafy, spike-like racemes of bowl-shaped, fragrant, yellow flowers opening in the evening.
Native to
Eastern North America
Foliage
Deciduous
Fragrance
Flower is scented.
Habit
Erect, Rosette
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Colour
Flower
Pale-yellow in Summer; Pale-yellow in Autumn
Foliage
Green, Grey-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Cut back after flowering. This is a very vigorous plant that can become a weed problem. Simply remove young plants where you do not want them growing.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Oenothera biennis (Common evening primrose) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Wildflower
Cultivation
Plant in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates some afternoon shade and moderate drought Tends to self-seed vigorously in ideal growing conditions.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
By garden designer Judi Samuels. This border is all about the scent! As each plant brings their own individual perfume with flowers and leaves to delight your senses all summer long. This is a… read more
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