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(Oenothera pilosella)
Prairie Sundrops (Oenothera pilosella)
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Katie Kucera
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Katie Kucera
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Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Katie Kucera | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Katie Kucera | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2019-06-28T15:35:47-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Oenothera pilosella, commonly known as Prairie Sundrops, is a perennial herb native to prairies, glades, and open woodlands of the East-Central United States and eastern Canada. It typically grows to a height of 1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meters) and spreads 1-1.5 feet (0.3-0.5 meters) wide. The plant has a clumping form with lance-shaped leaves and bears showy, bright yellow flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Prairie Sundrops are valued for their vibrant flowers and ability to thrive in challenging conditions, making them suitable for wildflower gardens, naturalized areas, and borders. They are drought-tolerant once established and can adapt to a range of soil types, though they prefer well-drained soils. While they do best in full sun, they can tolerate light shade. These plants are not typically associated with serious diseases or pests, but they can spread somewhat aggressively by rhizomes and self-seeding, which should be considered when planting in small garden spaces.CC BY-SA 4.0
Prairie Sundrops are valued for their vibrant flowers and ability to thrive in challenging conditions, making them suitable for wildflower gardens, naturalized areas, and borders. They are drought-tolerant once established and can adapt to a range of soil types, though they prefer well-drained soils. While they do best in full sun, they can tolerate light shade. These plants are not typically associated with serious diseases or pests, but they can spread somewhat aggressively by rhizomes and self-seeding, which should be considered when planting in small garden spaces.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-1.5 feet
- Width: 1.5-2 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Prairies, glades, and open woodlands
Other Names
Common Names: Meadow Evening Primrose , Finely-Pilose Evening-Primrose , Meadow Evening-Primrose , Meadow Sundrops , Pilose Evening-Primrose , Prairie Evening-Primrose , Prairie Sundrops , Behaarte Nachtkerze , Onagre Piloselle , Meadow Eveningprimrose
Scientific Names: Oenothera pilosella , Oenothera pilosella f. laevigata , Kneiffia fruticosa var. pilosella , Oenothera pilosella var. pilosella
GBIF Accepted Name: Oenothera pilosella Raf.