£0.49 incl. VAT
Oenothera biennis, a hardy biennial, provides a wonderful splash of summer colour in the garden. Flowering begins in June and plants continue growing throughout the season so there is a constant succession until about September. Commonly known as Evening Primrose, in early summer the sweetly scented, bright yellow flowers open towards evening and are faintly phosphorescent. This introduced and widespread naturalised, although apparently decreasing wild flower, has a bright nectar guide pattern, invisible in visible light, but apparent under ultraviolet light, which assists pollination by moths, butterflies and bees. The fragrant flowers are mostly fertilised by twilight-flying pollinating insects, along with moths and bats. Later in the season the flowers open all day but not have a scent until the evening. The seeds are also a good food source for birds.
Approximately 30 Seeds
In stock
Sowing & Growing
Sow in spring or in autumn. Seeds can be sown indoors in pots in spring or autumn and transplanted after the last frosts or can be sown directly where they are to grow after the final frosts in early summer. When growing indoors, sow the seed thinly in pots containing seed starting compost. Press seeds in lightly, do not cover the seeds with soil as they need light to germinate. Make sure the compost is kept moist but not wet. Seeds germinate in 15 to 30 days at 18 to 21°C. Transplant to individual pots when seedlings are large enough to handle and plant outside when rosettes are at least 7cm (3in) across. If planting in full sun area pick a cloudy day so plants have time to adjust to their new surroundings before the full sun hits them.
In outdoor beds, once the seedlings have developed two pairs of true leaves, thin out the weakest seedlings. Space seedlings or thin plants to 45cm apart. Grow in full sun and plant out in spring after all frosts. Water in well until plants have established then they can be ignored.
Evening Primrose is a hardy plant that does best on poor soils provided they are well drained. It does best in sandy soil but will tolerate almost anything that is not too wet. It prefers a position in full sun but will grow well in areas where it can get sun part of the day. It will not grow in shade. Once established the plants are extremely drought resistant and will continue to flower during hot dry periods. No care or maintenance is needed once plants are growing just cut down the stems at the end of the flowering period. Plant may reseed themselves but need to be in areas where they are not disturbed to develop for the following year. If intending to allow reseeding be aware of the rosettes and don’t weed out. If mowing keep blade high to miss the low growing rosette.
| Packet Size | Approximately 30 Seeds |
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