Plant of the Month – March
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White Evening Primrose,
Tufted Evening Primrose
Oenothera caespitosa
This lush desert groundcover is surprisingly drought-tolerant due to its deep roots. It’s large, beautiful flowers attract pollinators all night, then say goodbye each day with a fading pink farewell.
- Plant Form: Evergreen groundcover
- Water Use: Low
- Mature Size: 6 – 12 inches tall x 2 – 3 feet wide
- Exposure: Full or filtered sun
- Bloom Time: On & off all year; most prolific in Spring, Summer, Fall (Apr – Sept)
- Native to: Western U.S. and Mexico
- Hardiness: Cold hardy to 0°F
White Evening Primrose creates masses of fragrant, four-inch wide, snow-white flowers each evening that attract night-flying pollinators like hawk moths. Throughout the next day, we can enjoy each one-day flower that opened at dusk as it ages from white to pink before closing in the heat of day. Plants form a rosette of large, fuzzy, dark-green leaves. While short lived (usually three years), this plant is fast-growing, and easily reseeds. Replace when plants begin to decline or die out. White Evening Primrose requires excellent soil drainage and a little supplemental water in summer, but too much summer water will kill it. Trim off dead leaves and seedpods. This southwest beauty makes a delightful border flower in small spaces, entryways, and patios, and offers a colorful accent in rock gardens.
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