About

A bushy, often short-lived perennial with slender, erect stems to about 80cm. It bears loose sprays of dainty, starry white flowers from late spring, through summer and into autumn.

About the genus

Oenothera can be annuals, biennials or perennials, upright or spreading in habit, with simple or lobed leaves and bowl-shaped, white, yellow or pink flowers over a long period in summer

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy, Columnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens, Prairie planting, Gravel garden, Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens

Care notes

CultivationGrow in fertile, moist, but well-drained soil in full sun. Dry soil and partial shade tolerated
PruningReduce by a third in autumn to tidy, and cut back to near ground level in spring
PropagationPropagate by division in spring, basal cuttings or softwood cuttings in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free