Oenothera, Showy Pink Evening Primrose, Mexican Evening Primrose, Pink Ladies 'Rosea'

Oenotheraspeciosa

Family
Onagraceae (on-uh-GRAY-see-ee)
Genus
Oenothera (ee-no-THEE-ruh)
Species
speciosa (spee-see-OH-suh)
Synonym
Hartmannia speciosa
Xylopleurum speciosum
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Good Fall Color
Smooth
Height
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Pink
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Late Fall/Early Winter
Blooms repeatedly
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
Direct sow as soon as the ground can be worked
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Hereford, Arizona

Sonoita, Arizona

Stockton, California

Easton, Connecticut

Harlem, Georgia

Marietta, Georgia

Mcdonough, Georgia

Townsend, Georgia

Cary, Illinois

Washington, Illinois

Rockville, Indiana

Derby, Kansas

Abington, Massachusetts

Southborough, Massachusetts

Hendersonville, North Carolina

Guysville, Ohio

Orrville, Ohio

Xenia, Ohio

Lexington, South Carolina

Clarksville, Tennessee

Toone, Tennessee

Arlington, Texas

Austin, Texas(4 reports)

Dallas, Texas

Del Rio, Texas

Dickinson, Texas

Eagle Pass, Texas

Georgetown, Texas

Houston, Texas

Port Aransas, Texas

Rockwall, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

San Marcos, Texas

Chesapeake, Virginia

Palmyra, Virginia

Seattle, Washington

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

9
positives
2
neutrals
3
negatives
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G
Rockwall, TX | May 2018 | positive

Beautiful wildflower best planted in a wild garden or field as it does spread. In the summer I mow them if they start to look scraggly.

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | May 2015 | negative

An aggressive thug in the mixed border, this will overtake and overwhelm other perennials grown in the same bed. Grow it by itself or not...Read More

S
S
Hendersonville, NC | May 2015 | positive

I planted this plant in Arizona and it did very well. It is invasive, spreads like crazy. If you have large bare spots or a steep slope t...Read More

H
Cary, IL | May 2012 | positive

this is a beautiful plant i have grown from when the plants are on clearance. it has a lovely fragnance, and the flowers really stand out...Read More

F
Rock Hill, SC (Zone 7a) | April 2012 | negative

Planters beware, the showy evening primrose can be extremely aggressive and hard to get rid of. I've been trying to eradicate some in my...Read More

R
Windsor, CO | June 2011 | negative

Boy do we hate this plant! Planted one plant last year and it is taking over our garden! The runners go everywhere! There is no way th...Read More

M
Belle Plaine, MN | May 2010 | neutral

This is the third year for this plant in my perennial garden. It definately has moved from it's original placement. I wanted it at the ...Read More

L
Adairsville, GA (Zone 7b) | February 2010 | neutral

This is a beautiful plant, but is does spread rapidly. Give it plenty of room. I purchased 3 plants a few years ago and now it covers o...Read More

R
Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) | May 2009 | positive

I planted it in a big pot with other perennials and I have to keep it controlled almost every day because it develops underground runners...Read More

G
Oak Island, NC (Zone 8a) | March 2009 | positive

Wow. I purchased 5 of these just to fill in some bare spots in my garden. After they stopped blooming and the pods dried, I plucked the...Read More

C
Raeford, NC | May 2008 | positive

I love this plant ! It does have a light fragrance, and it does tolerate the extreme heat/drought here in North Carolina. It transplants ...Read More

G
Sunset Valley, TX (Zone 9a) | May 2008 | positive

This flower is fragrant! It has a light, fresh scent which is pleasant, but only tends to become noticeable if you plant it in groups....Read More

D
Marietta, GA | May 2007 | positive

This plant grows extremely well. You can keep it controlled by using cypress mulch, but it is also easy to pull up, if you don't like whe...Read More

U
Orrville, OH (Zone 6a) | May 2004 | positive

Grows well from winter sown seed in part sun, well drained soil.. Will grow tall when competing for light. Can become leggy. Fine/ del...Read More

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