Image of Oenothera perennis
Source: Bibliothèque Université Laval
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Plant Names

image of Flowering plant
Oenothera perennis
Perennial Evening-primrose
Onagre vivace

Synonyms

little evening-primrose
small evening-primrose
small sundrops
onagre pérennante

Plant Characteristics

Bloom Colour: Yellow Bloom Period: Jun - Aug
Max Height: 2.0 feet
Max Width: 2.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolerates dry soil condition
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
plant germinate easy Easy to germinate
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
container suitable Suitable for container garden
Ecological Benefits: No ecological benefits information available.
Tolerates:
drought Tolerant Tolerates drought conditions
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
Rabbit Resistant Rabbit resistant
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Sand Tolerant Tolerates sandy conditions
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant

Fun Facts

Perennial Evening-primrose has bright yellow, four-petaled flowers that appear in summer. Unlike some evening primroses, its flowers may open during the day and are often especially noticeable in sunny conditions. It naturally occurs in dry meadows, prairies, and open woodlands. It prefers well-drained, often dry soil. It is an excellent choice for dry, sunny gardens and is drought tolerant once established. It does not require rich soil. Avoid wet or poorly drained locations.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Oenothera perennis
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Atlantic Maritime
  • Boreal Plains
  • Boreal Shield
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Oenothera perennis

Specialized Bees Supported by Oenothera perennis

  • Lasioglossum oenotherae

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Oenothera (Non-Native Primrose)
  • Oenothera biennis (Evening Primrose Cultivars)
  • Oenothera fructicosa (Sundrops Cultivars)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 0 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: July
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Pods are brown, seeds are dark, and crisp, and little stem connecting the pod to the main stem is brown (not green)
  • Harvesting:
    • Cut stem (including pods), let air dry in paper bag, then shake seeds off after a few days
  • Seed viability test:
    • No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/32 teaspoon
  • Seed storage:
    • Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
    • Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • Remove non-seed material
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Inadequate information on toxicity found.