Botanical Bits — June 2003:
June 02, 2003
Evening Primrose Softens the Day
Evening – the time of day when the setting sun and dusky sky bring a softening to the bustle and turmoil of life. A time to head home and wind down.
But while some of us are calling it a day, others are just clocking in. Such creatures are termed vespertine, or "of the evening." Among them are the evening primroses, a group of plants with flowers that open in the late afternoon and evening, and fade away at the coming of dawn.
Probably the best known of the group is Missouri evening primrose (Oenothera macrocarpa), a plant that has been in horticulture since 1813, and is one of the most popular herbaceous perennials in America today. Its bright yellow, four-inch-wide flowers are dramatic and unmistakable, and inspire superlatives like "astounding" and "glorious."
Missouri evening primrose first was collected south of St. Louis by the great botanical explorer, Thomas Nuttall. He named his discovery Oenothera macrocarpa, the latter part of the name meaning "large fruit," a reference to the sizeable seed capsules of this plant. Often listed in references and catalogs as Oenothera missouriensis, Nuttall's name now is given preference.
Missouri evening primrose is a familiar wildflower in the Ozarks of Missouri, growing in rocky open areas in the woodlands called glades, which explains common names like "glade lily" and "Ozark sundrop." But this beautiful plant also grows in the rocky uplands of tallgrass prairies, and is native to southeastern Nebraska, where it blooms in May and June.
A sprawling plant that seldom exceeds ten inches in height, Missouri evening primrose often is used at the front of a flower border, or is allowed to trail over the slope of a raised bed or cascade over a rock wall. Famed English plantsman Graham Stuart Thomas called this species a "first-order front line plant." A single plant can cover a large area, so Missouri evening primrose must be used judiciously in a rock garden with more diminutive species.
The native habitat of Missouri evening primrose is sunny, dry and rocky, so in the garden it should be planted in full sun and in soil that is well-drained. The ease with which this species is cultivated makes it a great plant for beginning gardeners.
Three close relatives of Missouri evening primrose, all of which have attractive silvery leaves, are native to more western parts of the Great Plains. A selection of one, called "Comanche Campfire," recently was introduced into horticulture by the arboretum's GreatPlants Program, and is getting noticed for its beauty and its drought tolerance.
One of the fringe benefits of evening primroses in the garden is that their flowers attract hawkmoths, large insects that bear striking resemblance to hummingbirds.
Although the flowers of Missouri evening primrose last only from dusk to dawn (longer if the morning is cloudy), they are produced in abundance and a new crop is ready each evening.
If you're looking for a beautiful native wildflower that flourishes in heat and dryness, consider the Missouri evening primrose. Its huge yellow flowers will delight you, and will soften even the roughest of days.
6/2/03-KL Jim Locklear
Nebraska Statewide Aboretum Director (402) 472-2971
 
Karma Larsen Communications Associate Nebraska Statewide Arboretum (402)472-7923
Department:
Nebraska Statewide Arboretum
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