Tina James' Evening Primrose is a luminous soft-yellow biennial that opens its petals at dusk in a spectacle you can actually watch unfold in real time. Hardy in zones 4 through 4, this heirloom reaches 36 to 48 inches tall and blooms throughout June, July, and August with flowers that release a sweet fragrance to attract night pollinators like hawk moths. It thrives in full sun with minimal water once established, reaching maturity in about 75 days, and rewards patient gardeners with the rare gift of witnessing nature's evening performance night after night.
18
Full Sun
Low
4-4
48in H x 12in W
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Moderate
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The defining feature of this variety is its dusk-blooming habit; the petals unfurl so rapidly that you can stand and watch the transformation happen within moments. Night-flying pollinators such as hawk moths arrive to feast on the nectar and fragrance, creating an entire evening ecosystem in your garden. The flowers self-sow readily and can establish a naturalized patch over time, though succession sowing keeps blooms flowing year after year. Soft-yellow petals glowing in the fading light make this a uniquely magical addition to summer gardens.
This evening primrose is grown primarily as an ornamental flower for its spectacular nocturnal bloom display and sweet fragrance. Gardeners cultivate it specifically to attract night-feeding pollinators, particularly hawk moths, creating an interactive evening garden experience. The self-sowing tendency also makes it valuable for naturalized plantings and cottage garden settings where it can establish itself with minimal intervention.
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Sow seeds indoors in pots 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost date. Keep soil at 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Just cover the seeds with soil; they need minimal depth to germinate. Expect sprouting in 14 to 21 days. Transplant outdoors after frost danger has passed.
Move seedlings outdoors after the last frost date has passed. Space plants 18 inches apart in rows to provide adequate room for air circulation. Harden off seedlings gradually before moving them to their permanent location.
Direct sow seeds in spring through mid-summer for blooms the following year. Just cover seeds with soil. Since this is a self-sowing biennial, you can allow flowers to go to seed for natural reseeding, though catalog sources recommend additional sowing or transplanting in subsequent years to ensure continuous blooms.
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