Image of Oenothera biennis
Source: Donna Bos
image of Flowering plant
Oenothera biennis
Common Evening-primrose
Onagre bisannuelle

Obsolete Names

hoary evening-primrose
king's cureall
yellow evening-primrose
herbe aux ânes
onagre de Victorin
Seeds available at table Mixed Sun, Dry
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Yellow Bloom period: Jun - Sep
Max Height: 6.0 feet
Max Width: 2.0 feet
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: Biennial plants that will take two years to bloom, and then will die
Gardener Experience:
plant germinate easy Easy to germinate
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
shoreline_rehab Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
container suitable Suitable for container garden
boulevard garden tolerant Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
foot traffic tolerant Tolerates foot traffic
Ecological Benefits:
Bird friendly Supports birds
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
keystones species Keystone species
Tolerates:
Salt Tolerant Tolerates salt conditions
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
rabbit resistant Rabbit resistant
foot traffic Tolerant Tolerates foot traffic
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Oenothera biennis
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Taiga Plains
  • Atlantic Maritime
  • Taiga Shield
  • Boreal Plains
  • Montane Cordillera
  • Prairies
  • Hudson Plains
  • Boreal Shield
  • Boreal Cordillera
  • Pacific Maritime
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Oenothera biennis

  • Eudryas unio (Pearly Wood Nymph)
  • Hyles lineata (White lined Sphinx)
  • Mompha eloisella (Red streaked Mompha)
  • Schinia florida (Primrose)

Specialized Bees Supported by Oenothera biennis

  • Lasioglossum oenotherae
Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

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

Sowing Information

Download Sowing Label (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 0 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Can be sown in early spring in cool soil.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • 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 mean: 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, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one 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
  • Harvesting video: Watch here

Toxicity Notes

Inadequate information on toxicity found.