Oenothera biennis Seeds | Evening Primrose
LATIN NAME: Oenothera biennis
COMMON NAME: Evening Primrose
Plant Profile
Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) is an upright, biennial in the evening-primrose family. Evening primrose opens its large, clear-yellow, cup-shaped flowers in cool of evening, and softly hairy leaves fill base of tall stems. It is a plant of open, sunny, deep, well-drained ground. Together these qualities explain its long-standing appeal to gardeners.
Science & Biotechnology
As part of the evening-primrose family, Oenothera biennis contributes to research on plant classification and adaptation, while nurseries and gardeners continue to trial it for cultivation. Because it has been grown for so long, its garden habits are thoroughly documented.
Uses & Benefits
Evening Primrose works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. Evening primrose is a fine, bright plant of evening garden and study collection. It is a fine, bright plant of open, sunny, deep, well-drained garden. Sow in early summer for second-season cups, and flowers will open in cool evenings. It takes hold quickly and asks for no special treatment from then on.
Evening primrose seed oil is a famous supplement rich in gamma-linolenic acid, GLA, used widely for skin and hormonal comfort; the sunny flowers open at dusk for hawkmoths.
Growing from Seed
Starting Evening Primrose from seed is simple and satisfying. Fill a pot with a light seed compost, sow evenly on the surface, cover thinly and stand it somewhere warm, bright and evenly moist. Pot the young plants on as they grow, harden them off gradually, and plant them into their final positions when sturdy.
Our Take
Being an upright, biennial, it asks for a permanent spot and repays it yearly. What it needs is basic: sun, drainage, and a little patience while it establishes.
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