Showy Evening Primrose - Ontario Seed Company

Oenthera Speciosa

In spite of its common name this naturalized species can keep you guessing. In southern areas of Canada, flowers will open in the day while in more northern areas the flowers open very late in the day. Their fragrance is most noticeable in the evening. The flowers themselves start white then mature to pink, are about 5 cm (2") across and appear in profusion on upright 45 cm (18") stems. This primrose thrives in hot, dry soils in full sun and will readily reseed itself. Blooms tend to be largest in spring and then usually get smaller as the temperature goes up in summer. Showy Evening Primrose is suitable for use in sunny rock gardens, low borders and in formal gardens. Perennial hardy to Zone 5.

How to Grow

6,600 seed/gram. Sow seed indoors in early February in a soil-less mix - barely cover the seed with a light sifting of the growing medium. Keep at 15 to 20 C (60 to 70 F) for the 10 to 14 day germination period. After germination grow on under lights at a slightly cooler temperature before hardening off and planting outside in a sunny spot. Blooms the first year from an early indoor sowing. Seed can also be directly sown outdoors in mid May. Self-seeds readily.