Oenothera

The Oenothera genus combines one -, two-and perennial herbaceous and semi-shrubby plants with charming fragrant funnel-shaped 4-petal flowers of yellow, white or purple color. They open during the summer sunset. Plants are not very demanding to environmental conditions. Stemless evening primrose (Oenothera acaulis) is a perennial species with a height of 15 cm. The blooming flowers are painted white, and later pinkish spots appear on them. Very strongly cut leaves are collected in a rosette. Evening primrose biennial (Oe. biennis ) is a species that can also be found in natural conditions, where the plant self-disperses and behaves like a weed, inhabiting large spaces. The lanceolate leaves are formed in a rosette. There are also leaves on the peduncle, on which yellow flowers collected in racemose inflorescences are formed in the summer. The plant grows up to 1.50 m in height. Evening primrose shrub (Oe. fruticosa ) is a perennial species with a height of 50 cm. The leaves are ovate-lanceolate. The flowers are lemon yellow. Some varieties with narrower leaves are grown. Oenothera missouriensis (Oe. missouriensis) is a perennial species; the shrub grows up to 40 cm high (usually about 15 cm). The flowers are large (diameter - up to 10 cm), painted in lemon-yellow tones. Leaves are gray-blue lanceolate, pointed. Evening primrose tetragona (Oe. tetragona ) is a perennial species reaching 70-80 cm in height. The leaves are ovate, up to 20 cm long, blue-green. The flowers are lemon yellow. Of the one - and two-year-old species, the culture includes Drummond's evening primrose (Oe. drummondii) with large greenish-yellow flowers; red-leaved evening primrose, or Lamarck's evening primrose (Oe. erythrosepala, or Oe. lamarbiana), with yellow flowers in dense racemes.

The Oenothera genus combines one -, two-and perennial herbaceous and semi-shrubby plants with charming fragrant funnel-shaped 4-petal flowers of yellow, white or purple color. They open during the summer sunset. Plants are not very demanding to environmental conditions.

Stemless evening primrose (Oenothera acaulis) is a perennial species with a height of 15 cm. The blooming flowers are painted white, and later pinkish spots appear on them. Very strongly cut leaves are collected in a rosette.

Evening primrose biennial (Oe. biennis ) is a species that can also be found in natural conditions, where the plant self-disperses and behaves like a weed, inhabiting large spaces. The lanceolate leaves are formed in a rosette. There are also leaves on the peduncle, on which yellow flowers collected in racemose inflorescences are formed in the summer. The plant grows up to 1.50 m in height.

Evening primrose shrub (Oe. fruticosa ) is a perennial species with a height of 50 cm. The leaves are ovate-lanceolate. The flowers are lemon yellow. Some varieties with narrower leaves are grown.

Oenothera missouriensis (Oe. missouriensis) is a perennial species; the shrub grows up to 40 cm high (usually about 15 cm). The flowers are large (diameter - up to 10 cm), painted in lemon-yellow tones. Leaves are gray-blue lanceolate, pointed.

Evening primrose tetragona (Oe. tetragona ) is a perennial species reaching 70-80 cm in height. The leaves are ovate, up to 20 cm long, blue-green. The flowers are lemon yellow.

Of the one - and two-year-old species, the culture includes Drummond's evening primrose (Oe. drummondii) with large greenish-yellow flowers; red-leaved evening primrose, or Lamarck's evening primrose (Oe. erythrosepala, or Oe. lamarbiana), with yellow flowers in dense racemes.

Cultivation

Various species of the genus Evening primrose are grown outdoors - in open ground, borders and rock gardens, for which stemless evening primrose and Missouri evening primrose are particularly suitable. These plants adapt very well in the soil. Although plants prefer well-drained sandy soil, evening primrose plants can grow in both calcareous and sparsely fertile soil. Plants are responsive to the application of organic fertilizers (20-30 kg /m2). When growing on low-fertile soil, top dressing is recommended: once every 15-20 days, a complex mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation at the rate of 10 g per bucket. Planted in the ground usually in October (in cold climates) or March-April (in mild), observing the distance between plants of 30 cm.

Various species of the genus Evening primrose are grown outdoors - in open ground, borders and rock gardens, for which stemless evening primrose and Missouri evening primrose are particularly suitable.

These plants adapt very well in the soil. Although plants prefer well-drained sandy soil, evening primrose plants can grow in both calcareous and sparsely fertile soil.

Plants are responsive to the application of organic fertilizers (20-30 kg /m2). When growing on low-fertile soil, top dressing is recommended: once every 15-20 days, a complex mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation at the rate of 10 g per bucket. Planted in the ground usually in October (in cold climates) or March-April (in mild), observing the distance between plants of 30 cm.

Location

They prefer a place in the open sun.

Temperature

All the described species are resistant to both high and low air temperatures. The optimum temperature is 16-20 °C.

Watering

In hot dry periods, water often.

Care

Remove withered flowers and damaged plant parts.

Reproduction

Annual species are propagated by sowing seeds in the ground of greenhouses in the spring. Seedlings dive into earthen or peat-humus pots, because seedlings do not tolerate transplanting well. Seeds of perennial species can be immediately sown in the ground in a permanent place. Often practice the division of bushes, which is carried out in the spring, immediately planting the resulting parts on a permanent planting site.

Annual species are propagated by sowing seeds in the ground of greenhouses in the spring. Seedlings dive into earthen or peat-humus pots, because seedlings do not tolerate transplanting well. Seeds of perennial species can be immediately sown in the ground in a permanent place.

Often practice the division of bushes, which is carried out in the spring, immediately planting the resulting parts on a permanent planting site.

Diseases

Evening primrose has spots on the leaves-a consequence of fungal damage. It is usually enough to remove the damaged leaves. Aphids settle mainly on the tops of plants and leaves. Preparations against aphids can effectively control pests.

Acquisition

Plants are easily purchased in spring at specialized retail outlets.