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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Onagraceae (Evening-primroses) |
| Origin: Southwest (U.S.) (North America) |
| Flower Color: Rose Pink |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Summer |
| Synonyms: [Oenothera berlandieri] |
| Height: 1 foot |
| Width: Spreading |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: <15° F |
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Oenothera speciosa (Mexican Evening Primrose) - A quick spreading herbaceous perennial with lightly pubescent dark green narrow elliptical leaves, sometimes with deeply cut margins, to 2 inches long and inch and a half wide lightly fragrant bowl shaped flowers that appear spring through fall with peak bloom in summer - the flowers start as nodding buds and become upwardly inclined as they open and are near white then darken to a soft pink with yellow centers and yellow stamens and while open mostly in evening and morning, they often will stay open later particularly if skies are overcast. Plants, including flower stems, mound to a little over a foot and spread by rhizomes - can be somewhat invasive. Plant in full sun in well-drained soil and water only occasionally - very drought tolerant once established and limiting water can limit spread and overwatering can rot the plants. Left totally dry will make plants go drought dormant to reemerge in spring with moisture and warmer temperatures. Hardy to around 0°F and useful in USDA Zones 5 - 10. This plant is native to Missouri and Nebraska south through Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas to northeastern Mexico where it grows in rocky prairies and open woodlands. The derivation of the name for the genus is uncertain but some indicate it originated as a Greek name translated as "donkey catcher" that was used for another plant, perhaps Oleander. Another thought it that the name is a Latin word for a plant whose juices may cause sleep. The specific epithet means showy. Other common names include Showy Evening Primrose, Pinkladies, Pink Evening Primrose, Buttercups, Pink Buttercups and Amapola. It was long grown in the California nursery trade as Oenothera berlandieri.
The information about Oenothera speciosa displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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