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How to Grow and Care for Ozark Sundrops or Evening Primrose Plants

Oenothera missourensis

This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayOnce established this plant requires little or no supplemental wateringThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic wateringYellow flowering plantA photograph is availableHow to Use the Plant Care Icons at The Garden Helper


The sweetly scented yellow flowers of the Ozark Sundrop are 4-5 inches in diameter.
The lance-like, light green, 5" leaves are soft and velvety.
The Ozark Sundrop is an easy to grow trailing plant that will grow 6"-10" tall and form a 24" clump.
This night blooming plant will produce a succession of short lived blooms from late spring until mid summer if the dead flowers are removed promptly.

Growing Requirements for Ozark Sundrops

Ozark Sundrops are hardy in USDA zones 5-9.
They prefer to be grown in full sun but will tolerate some light shade in the afternoon as well.
Evening Primroses grow best in humus rich soil, but will grow well in just about any kind of garden soil as long as it is well draining and does not cake.
Feed once in the spring with a good all-purpose fertilizer.
Sundrops are fairly drought tolerant plants once they become established.		 Angoor the Garden Gnome

Propagating Sundrops and Evening Primrose Plants

Oenothera plants can be propagated by dividing established clumps in the spring or in the fall.

Softwood cuttings may be struck in late spring.

Easy to grow Sundrop seeds can be sown directly in the garden in late summer, early fall, or planted early in the spring.

Sow Sundrop seeds indoors in a moistened soil mixture in early spring.
Firm the soil lightly and keep evenly moist.
Maintain a temperature of 68°-86° within the growing medium.
Germination takes 15-20 days.
Plant 6"-12" apart in the garden after all danger of frost has passed.

Oenothera biennis, the Common Evening Primrose produces 5 ft. spikes of yellow flowers that open in the evening.
Oenothera rosea, the Rose of Mexico is a low growing plant producing an abundance of 1" pink or reddish flowers that open during the day.
Oenothera speciosa, the Showy Evening Primrose is a clump forming plant that produces 18"-24" spikes of fragrant pink-edged white flowers.

Evening Primrose
Oenothera missouriensis
A Yellow Flowering Evening Primrose or Ozark Sundrop in Bloom, Oenothera missouriensis A Bright Yellow Evening Primrose Flower