Oenothera speciosa (Evening Primrose)

Vigorous and showy, Oenothera speciosa (Evening Primrose) is a sprawling perennial featuring masses of fragrant, bowl-shaped, satiny white flowers with the delicate texture of crumpled silk. Large, 2-3 in. wide (5-7 cm), the pretty flowers age to rose-pink with deeper pink veining. They rise on erect to sprawling stems atop rosettes of oblong to lance-shaped, toothed, medium-green leaves. Blooming profusely from late spring to early fall, the flowers open in the evening and remain open until late morning. They are followed by oval seed capsules bearing four papery wings, ready to be blown out by the wind. A valuable plant for its ability to grow in poor soils and tolerate drought.

• Winter hardy, this spreading perennial grows 10-24 in. tall (25-60 cm) and spreads by rhizomes to 18 in. (45 cm) or more. This plant will spread, sometimes aggressively, to form large colonies.
• Best in full sun in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates poor soils, drought, and light shade.
• Great choice for prairies and meadows, wildflower gardens, coastal gardens, or naturalized areas. May be planted in beds, borders, or rock gardens. Makes a perfect full sun groundcover with its showy flowers
• Easily grown from seed sown outdoors in fall or early spring.
• No serious insect or disease issues. Deer resistant, this plant attracts birds.
• This perennial wildflower is native to 28 of the lower 48 U.S. states as well as Mexico.