Oenothera biennis - common primrose

Height: 4’ to 5’
Spread: 2’ to 3’
Light Needs: Full sun
Water: medium to dry
Flower color: bright yellow
Bloom time: July to September

This plant is a herbaceous biennial. It develops a low rosette of leaves in its first year, produces a tall spike of flowers in its second and then dies after its seeds mature. Once established in the garden, it will reseed and grow into subsequent years. Its flowers open in the late afternoon to attract moth pollinators and close the next morning after being visited by wild bees. It is a host for caterpillars of the pink and yellow primrose moth. The seeds are eaten by songbirds. It is a good plant for a tall pocket prairie. 

The plants offered by the Upstate Native Nursery are small, first-year seedlings. They should grow rapidly and flower next year.