Oenothera speciosa – Pink Evening Primrose (B&B.DRGHT.GRD.H.M.NB.OP)

Ecosystem Services:
(B)-Birds                                             (B&B)-Birds & Butterflies
(BTF)-Butterflies                             (BW)-Black Walnut Resistant
(DR)-Deer Resistant                      (DRGHT)-Drought Resistant
(EC)-Erosion Control                    (EVR)-Evergreen
(FC)-Fall Color                                 (FRG)-Fragrant
(GRD)-Groundcover                      (H)-Host plant
(HMR)-Hummingbirds                (M)-Mammals
(MTH)-Moths                                   (N)-Nectar
(NB)-Native Bees                            (NST)-Nesting Material
(OP)-Other pollinators                 (RR)-Rabbit Resistant
(SHWY)-Showy                                (SPC)-Specimen Plant

Showy Evening Primrose is native to SW USA but has naturalized to many other parts of the country. It spreads by stoloniferous rootstocks and seeds forming a groundcover. The large flowers are cup-shaped and showy, usually opening in the evening or cloudy days although in some areas of the county they open during the day. It is drought tolerant and grows in any soil types except poor drainage ones. It will go dormant if it receives no moisture in summer. Flowers best in sun but will grow in shade as a groundcover but not flower.

It is best used in naturalized areas as it can take over a perennial garden. Planting it in poor, rocky, infertile soil will encourage it to grow in a more well-behaved clump.

Host plant for the Primrose Moth and Green-Banded Day Sphinx/