Pink Evening Primrose

A very drought-tolerant plant, with fresh pink blooms in early spring, the Pink Evening Primrose attracts many sphinx moths, which come to pollinate the flowers especially at dusk and dawn when the flowers are open.  Cloudy days may keep the blooms open all day long. The White-Lined Sphinx Moth, in fact, lays its eggs on the plant, so you may notice big green caterpillars feeding on the leaves before metamorphosis into the adult moth, who returns to help the plant with flower pollination. Flowers really pop under the light of a full moon and are quite remarkable.  

In the heat of summer, it benefits from being cut back to promote a flush of fresh, new growth in the fall. It spreads by rhizomes fairly aggressively, but it can be contained by pulling up any unwanted plants, to maintain a spread of 2-4 feet. Learn more at Nativo Gardens and Native Plant Society.

Plant Size: 4" Pot or Gallon
Scientific Name: Oenothera speciosa
Height: 2 feet
Spread: 2-4 feet
Light: Full Sun