Narrowleaf Evening Primrose
(Oenothera fruticosa)
Narrowleaf Evening Primrose (Oenothera fruticosa)
/
/

Will McFarland
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Will McFarland
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Will McFarland | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Will McFarland | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2020-04-18T10:10:26-07:00 |





Estimated Native Range
Summary
Oenothera fruticosa, commonly known as Narrowleaf Evening Primrose or Sundrops, is a deciduous perennial herb native to open woodlands, grasslands, and roadside areas in the Southeastern USA. It typically grows to a height of 16-36 inches (40-91 cm) and is appreciated for its bright yellow flowers. The plant forms a bushy clump with lance-shaped leaves and bears cup-shaped, lemon-yellow flowers that are about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) across. These blooms are particularly showy and open in the evening, hence the common name. Flowering occurs from late spring to early summer.
Narrowleaf Evening Primrose is valued for its drought tolerance and its ability to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. It is often used in wildflower gardens, borders, and naturalized areas. This plant thrives in full sun but can tolerate light shade. It prefers acidic, well-drained sandy soils but is adaptable to various soil types, including those with varying pH levels. While it requires high amounts of water initially, once established, it is quite drought-resistant. Potential problems include root rot in overly wet soils and occasional issues with pests such as aphids.CC BY-SA 4.0
Narrowleaf Evening Primrose is valued for its drought tolerance and its ability to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. It is often used in wildflower gardens, borders, and naturalized areas. This plant thrives in full sun but can tolerate light shade. It prefers acidic, well-drained sandy soils but is adaptable to various soil types, including those with varying pH levels. While it requires high amounts of water initially, once established, it is quite drought-resistant. Potential problems include root rot in overly wet soils and occasional issues with pests such as aphids.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Width: 1-2 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium, High
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Native to open woodlands, grasslands, and roadside areas
Other Names
Common Names: Gullnattljus, Narrowleaf Evening-Primrose
Scientific Names: , Oenothera youngii, Oenothera fruticosa subsp. fruticosa, Oenothera fruticosa var. subglobosa, Oenothera fruticosa var. vera, Oenothera fruticosa var. linearis, Oenothera linearis, Oenothera hybrida, Oenothera tetragona var. brevistipata, Oenothera longipedicellata
GBIF Accepted Name: Oenothera fruticosa subsp. fruticosa