Oenothera elata

Common Names

Hooker's Evening Primrose, Evening Primrose, Western Evening Primrose, Tall Evening Primrose

Summary

Hooker's evening primrose is a native North American herb, biennial to short-lived perennial with a taproot that forms a basal rosette; stems 4–25 dm tall, green with red flush; leaves dull green to gray-green; flowers on unbranched inflorescences; hypanthium 3–5 cm; sepals 2.7–5 cm; petals 3–5.5 cm, yellow to pale yellow; bloom June–October; fruits capsules 2–6.5 cm; seeds reddish-brown in two rows.

Found along streams, meadows, rocky slopes or disturbed habitats from 2,000–9,000 ft; polymorphic with subspp. hirsutissima and hookeri; prefers full sun and well-drained soils; drought-tolerant once established; propagates mainly by seed, with seeds viable 3–5 years; may self-seed prolifically; used in native plant gardens and restoration projects; flowers open in the evening and attract pollinators, including hawkmoths and native bees.

Lifecycle

Biennial or perennial

Height

1 foot 4 inches – 8 feet

Spread

2-3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun; tolerates partial sun

Soil Type

Well-drained loamy soil, slightly acidic to neutral pH, rich in organic matter.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil.

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Bright yellow; may fade to orange-red or orange with age; sometimes red-tinged or flushed with red

Bloom Time

Summer and Fall

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Rapidly establishing, fast-growing pioneer species, slow in year 1, rapid in year 2

Seasons of Interest

Summer and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, cuttings, and division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, birds