Oenothera suffrutescens
scarlet beeblossom
Overview
Oenothera suffrutescens, scarlet beeblossom or scarlet gaura, is a low, clumping to spreading herbaceous perennial in the evening-primrose family, growing 6-24 inches (15-60 cm) tall. Many slender, branching stems carry narrow gray-green leaves 0.5-2 inches (1-5 cm) long. From late spring into fall it produces small, four-petaled flowers about 0.5 inch (12 mm) across that open white to pink in the evening and deepen to red or scarlet as they age, so a single spike shows several colors at once. Long stamens give the flowers an airy, whiskered look. It grows from deep, spreading roots in dry prairies, plains, and open rocky ground across central and western North America, forming colonies that spread by rhizomes. The plant tolerates heat, drought, and poor soil but can spread aggressively in a garden through its running roots. O. suffrutescens is grown in dry native and prairie plantings, rock gardens, and low-water borders, where its long bloom season draws bees and other pollinators.
Native Range
Oenothera suffrutescens is native to central and western North America, from the Canadian prairies south through the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains to Texas, Arizona, and northern Mexico. It grows on dry prairies, plains, roadsides, and open rocky or sandy ground. It is widespread across the interior West and Great Plains.Suggested Uses
Scarlet beeblossom is grown in dry prairie and native plantings, rock gardens, gravel gardens, and low-water borders. Its long bloom season draws bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. It is used as a drought-tolerant filler and groundcover on sunny, dry sites.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 2'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowering runs from late spring into fall, roughly May through September. Flowers open in the evening, are pollinated overnight and in the morning, and change color as they age. The plant blooms over a long season, opening a few flowers on each stalk at a time.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White to pink aging to redFoliage Description
Gray-greenGrowing 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow scarlet beeblossom in full sun on dry, well-drained sandy, gravelly, or rocky soil. Once established its deep roots make it heat- and drought-tolerant, and it needs little or no irrigation. It spreads by rhizomes and self-sows, so it can colonize beyond where it is planted, especially in loose soil. It is hardy in USDA zones 4-9 and dies back to the root each winter. Lean soil and full sun keep growth compact, while rich or moist soil makes it flop and spread faster. It has few pests, though it may get powdery mildew or rust in humid conditions.Pruning
Shear or mow the plants after the first flush to tidy them and encourage rebloom. Cut the dead stems back in late winter. Remove unwanted rhizome spread by digging the runners in spring.Pruning Schedule
J
F
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A
M
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J
A
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summerearly spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons