(Oenothera caespitosa)

Tufted evening primrose, desert evening primrose, fragrant evening primrose.

A beautiful mound-forming, fragrant, night-blooming perennial wildflower that prefers fast-draining sandy or rocky soils in a wide range through the central and western United States. There are many subspecies so it can vary in appearance as you move across its native range. The original seed source for the plants we grow is from plants found on the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains in Northern Utah, and the marginata subspecies.

Tufted evening primrose is a great low-water option for rock gardens, patio pots, raised garden beds, and suitable landscaping areas.

The large, silky, white flowers open in the evening to attract pollinators overnight and as the following day warms up, the blooms will typically turn pink and wither. The flowers last a little longer in mild temperatures and in less sunny conditions. We grow a few plants in pots on our front porch so that we can enjoy the beautiful scent when we are relaxing at home on summer nights.

Tufted evening primrose is a larval host plant for the white-lined hawkmoth (Hyles lineata) which is a native moth in much of the Western United States. The soft fuzzy leaves have a crinkly, toothed margin and remain evergreen in at least USDA zone 5 winters (temperatures drop to -20 to -25 degrees F). In very dry conditions the leaves will drop and the plant will go dormant. It is a low-growing plant that can form clumps up to 3 feet wide and 1 foot tall in the right conditions.

These plants can bloom in the first year from seed. Tufted evening primrose may be short-lived (2 years) but the average lifespan is typically much longer. Providing adequate drainage in the soil, at least a half day of full sun, and allowing soil to dry in between waterings should keep these plants happy for years. If the leaves look wilted it’s time to water.

Seeds will have optimal germination if they receive 8-12 weeks of cold stratification before planting, but a percentage of seeds will germinate without stratification.

Packet: 50 seeds