Showy Evening Primrose (Oenothera speciosa)

🌱

☀️

Sunlight Full sun to partial shade; tolerates drought once established; avoid dense, deep shade

💧

Watering Water deeply when top 5 cm of soil is dry; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot

🌡️

Temperature Hardy to -20°C; tolerates high summer heat up to 38°C; goes dormant in cold winters

🔍

Leaf: Narrow lanceolate leaves with serrated margins; gray-green, fuzzy texture
Flower: Pale pink to white cup-shaped blooms, 5–7 cm wide; open in evening, fade by midday
Stem: Slender, branching stems with fine hairs; low-growing, spreading habit

🛠️

Watering

Keep soil evenly moist during active growth to support bloom production

Fertilization

Light balanced diluted feed once monthly. Use minimal fertilizer to prevent excessive foliage growth at the cost of blooms

Eggshell powder topdress：Crush dried eggshells into fine powder; dust lightly on soil surface to add calcium without burning delicate roots

Pruning

Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage extended flowering through early summer
Trim back overgrown clumps in late autumn to maintain a neat, compact habit
Remove damaged or yellowing foliage to improve airflow and reduce pest risk

⚠️

Warning: this plant may be toxic.

Pets & Humans

Pets: ASPCA confirms no toxicity to cats

Humans: No known toxic effects for humans

📖

Culture: N/A

Usage: Ornamental ground cover, wildflower garden plant; attracts pollinators like moths and native bees