Some plants just don’t take a hint and this is one of them. It is a cheerful, adventuresome member of my hot border and just won’t reign itself in no matter how much I pull out each year. I am really not complaining because it is a great addition to my border and I would never want to be without it. The bright yellow flowers are borne in clusters on the top of their 18” stems and put on quite a show. As the bloom fads they want to keep on growing so I pull them out with abandon to make way for other plants. No problem, they come back the next year as abundant and floriferous as ever so I keep repeating this yearly routine and am always glad to see them return so faithfully.
Type: Herbaceous perennial.
Bloom: Bright yellow flowers in spring-summer.
Size: 18-24” H x 24” W.
Light: Full sun.
Soil: Moist, well drained; pH less than 6.8; tolerant of lime and brackish soils.
Hardiness: Zones 4-9.
Care: No special care is needed unless it becomes a thug (but is easily removed).
Pests and Diseases: None of importance.
Propagation: Plants are easily propagated by division in spring.
Companion plants: ‘Gibson’s Scarlet’ Cinquefoil (Potentilla ‘Gibson’s Scarlet’), gayfeather (Liatris spicata ‘Kobold’), balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflora ‘Sentimental Blue’).
Outstanding Selections: ‘ Fireworks’ (red buds open yellow; foliage turns reddish in fall).
Comments: Stems have a tinge of red; leaves form rosettes with reddish tinge in winter in the South; attracts butterflies.
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We get one of the tall Oenothera as a wild flower here – it’s known as Evening primrose. It too can be a thug but it is worth having at least one in the garden as the flowers are very beautiful.
I remember the Evening primrose from my childhood but have not seen it for years.