Tufted Evening Primrose (Oenothera caespitosa) is a beautiful native primrose that adds consistent interest to the garden for much of the growing season. The rosette of fuzzy, lance-shaped leaves are covered with large, fragrant, white flowers that open during the late afternoon, remain open during the night, and close in the morning. As the flower petals mature, they turn a pink color, which gradually gets darker until they turn dark pink or purple and shrivel. This nightly show continues until the end of summer/beginning of fall. Tufted Evening Primrose thrives in dry, sunny spots and makes a striking addition to the front of garden beds or borders, rock gardens, prairie or meadow plantings, or containers. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution.
Expected 2025 Availability- Late April
Tufted Evening Primrose
Irrigation Requirement: Low (1/2" every 10-14 days) or Moderate (1/2" every 7-10 days). Can plant in a xeric area, but will require supplemental water when summers are dry.
Mature Size: 8 - 12" tall and 6 - 12" wide
Spacing: 1 - 2' apart
Bloom Colors: White/Pink
Bloom Season: May - September
Hardiness Zone: 4 - 8
Light Requirement: Full Sun
Deer Resistant: Yes
Salt Tolerant: Yes
Soils: Tolerates a wide range of soils, including sand, loam, or clay if well-drained.
Plants in the Oenothera genus are host species for 17 known native pollinators in northern Utah. Tufted Evening Primrose is also a nectar source for day-time and night-time pollinators.