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Oenothera glazioviana
large-flowered evening-primrose
Garden hybrid origin; naturalized in Europe
Overview
Oenothera glazioviana is a stout biennial of the willowherb family that forms a flat leaf rosette in its first year and a tall, branching flower stem 3-6 feet (1-1.8 m) high in its second. The stems are flushed and spotted with red and carry lance-shaped, wavy-edged leaves with pale or reddish midribs. From June to September it opens large, bowl-shaped yellow flowers 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) across, each with four broad petals and red-striped sepals. The flowers open quickly in the evening, are pollinated by night-flying moths, and fade by the following midday. It grows on dunes, railway ballast, road verges, waste ground, and other open, disturbed sites with free-draining soil. Of garden hybrid origin, it has naturalized widely across Europe and beyond, often forming colonies on bare, sandy ground. It self-seeds heavily and behaves as a pioneer of open ground, dying after it has flowered and set seed. Plants are short-lived and flop in rich or crowded conditions.
Native Range
Oenothera glazioviana arose in cultivation as a hybrid of North American evening-primrose species and is not native to any region in the wild. It has naturalized widely across Europe, including the British Isles, on dunes, verges, and waste ground.Suggested Uses
Grown in gravel gardens, dry banks, wildflower areas, and coastal plantings, where the evening flowers draw moths and the seed feeds finches. It establishes quickly on poor, open ground and suits naturalized rather than formal settings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 6'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Large yellow flowers open from June to September, a few each evening up the lengthening flower spike. Each bloom opens within minutes at dusk, is visited by moths overnight, and wilts by the next midday. Flowering continues over many weeks as new buds open in succession.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
mid-green with red midribGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight