Chiefly a night bloomer, native evening primrose (Oenothera) is a plant that opens so fast you can watch it. It has showy single flowers in pink, white or yellow and is practically carefree, tolerating dryness and neglect. There are tall and short species, and most bloom throughout the summer.
Oenothera Biennis
Common evening primrose can reach 6 feet with blooms at the top. the pointed buds open at dusk, in less than a minute, revealing fragrant, 2-inch yellow blossoms. The flowers stay open all night then close in the morning, except on cloudy days. Hardy in Zones 4 to 8, Oenothera biennis needs only sun and ordinary soil.
Oenothera Biennis
Insider's secret
Give seeds a cold treatment (a few days in the freezer before planting), or sow them outdoors in the fall. Do not cover seeds with soil because they need light to germinate.
