Tina James Evening Primrose is a frost-tolerant heirloom biennial that transforms summer gardens with tall spires of luminous flowers reaching 36-48 inches. This Oenothera glazioviana cultivar thrives in full sun with minimal water, making it an excellent choice for gardeners in zones 4 and beyond who want reliable blooms without constant fussing. It flowers reliably from June through August, attracting pollinators throughout the season.
Full Sun
Low
4-4
48in H x 18in W
—
Low
Hover over chart points for details
This biennial builds slowly in its first year, then rewards patience with towering flower spikes that light up from June onward. It handles poor soil, drought, and cold winters with ease, asking only for full sun and good air circulation. The plant's self-sowing habit means you can establish a continuous blooming cycle by sowing in successive years, turning a single packet into years of flowers.
Tina James Evening Primrose is grown primarily as an ornamental flower for its tall, striking blooms that add vertical interest to gardens and pollinator-focused plantings. The flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects throughout the summer months.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds indoors in pots 8-10 weeks before your last spring frost. Keep soil at 65-70°F and expect germination in 14-21 days. Just cover seeds lightly; they need minimal depth to sprout. Transplant seedlings outdoors after frost danger passes.
Move hardened-off seedlings outside after the last frost date. Space plants 1 inch apart in their final location. Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining soil.
Direct sow seeds outdoors in spring through mid-summer for blooms the following year. Just barely cover the seeds and water gently to keep soil moist until germination occurs.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.