Showy Evening Primrose

Oenothera speciosa

Origin: Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas

Improvement status: Wild

Seeds per packet: ~2,000

Germination tested 6/2021: 64%

Life cycle: Perennial

Also known as "pinkladies," this native evening primrose is charmingly beautiful, medicinal, and tasty too! The young leaves, flowers, and seeds are all edible. This species is under-studied by the medical establishment, but it has been found to contain potent antioxidants and to have anti-hyperglycemic effects. Various species of this genus (including Oenothera biennis) have been used for a range of indications, including treatment of inflammations, diabetes, microbial infections, ulcers, tumors, kidney and liver problems. The plants of this genus are sources for various pharmaceutically active components like sterols, alkaloids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, saponins, biflavonols and tocopherols.

Our seed was produced by our friends at Ernst Conservation Seeds in Meadville, PA.

GROWING TIPS: Grows to 2 feet high. Enjoys medium to dry soil, and full sun. Drought tolerant, spreading, ground cover. Spring seed, surface sow (needs light to germinate). Winter hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 9.