Oenothera biennis
Evening primrose
Common names: Common evening primrose, Rapontikwurzel
Photo: Georg Slickers · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
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Description
The evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) is a biennial wild herb that forms a rosette of leaves in its first year and grows up to 1.5 m tall in its second year. Its bright yellow flowers open only in the evening and emit a strong fragrance that attracts moths and other pollinators. The root is mildly peppery in early autumn and can be prepared like a parsnip; the seeds are pressed to produce the well‑known evening primrose oil. As a hardy bee‑friendly plant, it is suitable for natural gardens and thrives best on sparse, sunny sites.
Care instructions
Evening primrose prefers well‑drained, slightly nutrient‑poor soil and full sun; overly fertile soil reduces flowering and weakens root development. Water only when soil remains dry for an extended period; the plant does not tolerate waterlogged conditions. In the first year, only the leaf rosette forms; harvest the root in early autumn before the plant begins to flower. If left standing, the plant self‑seeds and reliably returns the following year. Withered stems can be left until spring; birds enjoy the seed heads in winter.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, sandy, lean, dry
Feeding
Light feeder
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