Oenothera macrocarpa
Oenothera macrocarpa is a low growing native perennial with sprawling stems and exceptionally large lemon yellow flowers that open in the late afternoon and remain open through the night. The blooms can reach 4 in across and appear repeatedly from late spring through summer making this an especially striking choice for sunny dry gardens.
Height & Spread: 6 - 12 in x 18 - 24 in
Bloom Time: Late spring through summer
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Dry to average well drained soil; tolerates rocky and poor soil
Watering Needs: Low; drought tolerant once established
Deer Resistance: Deer and rabbit resistant
Native Status
Oenothera macrocarpa is native to the south central United States and occurs naturally in dry rocky prairies, limestone glades, bluffs, and other open habitats. It is valued in native landscapes for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive where many other perennials struggle.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Moths
- Its evening opening flowers are especially valuable to sphinx moths including hawk moths, hummingbird moths, and clearwing moths which visit for nectar through the night.
Hummingbirds
- Provides a nectar source for hummingbirds around the evening and early morning hours when its large yellow flowers are open.
Bees
- Attracts bees which visit the flowers during the cooler morning and evening hours.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 12 - 24 in apart to give its trailing stems room to spread and form a broad low growing cover.
Landscape Placement
- Ideal for rock gardens, dry borders, slopes, native plantings, and areas with poor soil where its sprawling form can spread naturally without competing with taller plants.
Companion Plants
- Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) - Adds upright grass structure and warm seasonal color behind the low spreading primrose.
- Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) - Provides upright orange blooms and strong pollinator value while sharing the same preference for sunny well drained conditions.
- Penstemon digitalis (Beardtongue) - Brings vertical white flowers that create a clean contrast with the sprawling yellow blooms.
- Callirhoe involucrata (Wine Cups) - Forms another low growing mat with colorful flowers that complement the open habit of Missouri evening primrose.
- Amsonia hubrichtii (Blue Star) - Provides a soft upright mound of fine foliage that contrasts with the broad yellow flowers and trailing form.