The genus Oenothera's primrose, belonging to the primrose family, includes over 100 species growing wild mainly in North America.Several species have established themselves permanently in Europe, becoming characteristic plants of railway embankments, roadsides and ruderal habitats.One of them is Oenothera biennis, which came to our continent from North America to the beginning of the 17th century.
The German name of the genus (Nachtkerzen - night candle) is associated with this very time of flowering of many species of evening primrose.Their flowers open at dusk and begin to smell, attracting moths to pollinate them.However, most species are self-pollinating or pollinated by bumblebees and bees (flowers open at least partially during the day).Evening primrose has been very well understood in terms of genetics and cytology. The research began at the beginning of the 20th century. Mutation and crossing were de alt with, among others, by Hugo de Vries - one of the rediscoverers of Mendel's laws.
The ornamental value has several species. They are mainly perennials, i.e. herbaceous perennials that winter in the ground.
Species characteristics
-Evening primroseOenothera fruticosa has been cultivated in gardens since 1737. Plants reach a height of 30-70 cm, with stiff, straight stems, branched and red in the upper part. Golden-yellow flowers 4-5 cm in diameter, open 24 hours a day, form on their tops.Rdonkeys bloom profusely for a long period from June to August.The 'Yellow River' variety has large canary yellow flowers, and 'Frühlingsgold' has creamy leaves.
-Evening primrose quadrilateralOenothera fruticosa subsp. glaca (Oenothera tetragona), taller (grows 40-80 cm) than primrose bush, has bluish-green, non-red and hairless stems and bluish leaves - butt, ovate and gathered in rosettes, stalk, lanceolate and sessile.'Fyrverkeri' has intense red flower buds and blooms profusely, 'Sonnenwende' has dark green leaves and large yellow flowers, 'Hohes Licht' blooms profusely and its flowers turn bright yellow. Note, varieties of this evening primrose often occur as varieties of evening primrose.
-Missouri Evening PrimroseOenothera macrocarpa has been cultivated since 1811. It is characterized by reddish stems, lanceolate leaves, 4-7 cm long and yellow, very large flowers in diameter 10-12 cm, which open in the evening.Plants of this species bloom from July to October.
-Evening primrose(alluring) Oenothera speciosa grows with underground runners. Its partially overlapping shoots are 30-50 cm long. It is distinguished by strongly fragrant white flowers 4-7 cm in diameter, which turn pink as they fade and remain open both during the day and at night. They bloom from June to September.The flowers of 'Rosea' are characterized by slightly pink petals and a yellow center, 'Alba' has white flowers, 'Siskiyou' - large pink, and 'Pink Petticoats' - pink with a white center .
Secrets of evening primrose cultivation
Requirements
Evening primrose does not cause problems in cultivation. They are best suited to sunny positions, the Missouri primrose especially requires very sunny places.They like well-drained soils, quite light, moderately moist and not very fertile. They are not susceptible to diseases and pests. They winter well, only evening primrose can freeze during a cold and snowless winter, so it must be protected against frost.
Propagation
We reproduce the bush primrose in the spring by dividing and using apical cuttings, the Missourian evening primrose - from seeds, and evening primrose - by dividing and from running cuttings. The plants are planted, depending on the species and variety, at intervals of 25-40 cm.
Planting evening primrose
Evening primrose flowers are very decorative, and at the same time undemanding, therefore they deserve a wider spread.Medium-tall and tall species and varieties of evening primrose can be planted in flowerbeds, in garden groups, parks or in naturalistic gardens.They go well with plants with blue or purple flowers, e.g. with Faassen Nepeta's catnip x faassenii, mossy sage Salvia nemorosa, Perovskia abrotanoides.
Evening primrose is recommended for flower meadows. The Missouri Evening Primrose is perfect for rock gardens, gravel gardens, and sunny slopes. However, its decorative seed bags can be used for dry bouquets.All the primrose in question are honey-bearing.
