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Oenothera fruticosa
Sundrops, Narrow-Leaf Evening Primrose

Photo by Cure Nursery

Southern Sundrop is a day-flowering perennial (from the Evening Primrose family) native to much of Eastern North America and reported nearly throughout NC. Its habit is upright, (two feet tall x 1.5 feet wide), a little sprawling, with an overwintering evergreen basal rosette. It’s obvious value in the garden is from its numerous 4-petaled, delicate, poppy-like flowers. Bright yellow with orange stamens, the flowers appear in May and June and in our experience will continue sporadically until winter. Individual flowers are short lived, but keep coming for many weeks. It will form colonies by means of rhizomes and would do well on a sunny bank. Grown in full sun to light shade in well drained soil, Southern Sundrop is easy to grow and dependable for our hot climate It attracts birds and hummingbirds and many insect pollinators.

Last Updated: June 27, 2019

Key Info

Scientific Name: Oenothera fruticosa L.
Common Names: Sundrops, Narrow-Leaf Evening Primrose
Family Name: Onagraceae (Evening Primrose Family)
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Uses: Perennial Border, Naturalizing, Meadow, Butterfly garden, Rock garden, Steep bank
Light Requirement: Full sun, Partial/sunny
Moisture Requirement: Dry, Medium, Moist well drained
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Bloom Times: May, Jun, Jul
Flower Color: Bright yellow
Special Characteristics: Attracts butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts birds, Rhizomatous, Tolerates dry conditions, Tolerates heat, Reported to be deer resistant.

Additional Info

Habit: Upright or somewhat sprawling and informal, clump-forming habit with multiple slender, pubescent, branched stems; basal rosette reddish in winter; plants form colonies by means of rhizomes.
Height: 18-24"
Spread: 1-2'
Growth Rate: Moderate
Soil Conditions: Well drained, dry, organic; acidic to circumneutral pH; sandy, loamy, clay; prefers light soils
Leaves: Alternate, lance-shaped, 2-3 inches long x 1 inch wide with serrated margins and pointy tip; leaves of evergreen basal rosette are reddish and more oval.
Flowers (or reproductive structures): Red flower buds open to colorful yellow, delicate, 4-petaled blooms with reflexed sepals and orange stamens, 2 inches across, in dense terminal clusters
Fruit: The flowers are followed by distinctive, club-shaped red seed capsules which add to the floral display.
Natural Distribution: Roadsides and disturbed fields, rock outcrops, dry woods, meadows.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
USDA Wetland Indicator Status in NC: FAC (FACU on Coastal Plain)
Pollination: Sphinx moths
Wildlife Connections: Hummingbirds, skippers, beetles, butterflies, honeybees and native bees are attracted to the nectar; caterpillars of several moths feed on the foliage; songbirds consume the seeds (New Moon)
Cultural Notes: Cut back foliage to promote a new flush of growth to prolong flowering season.
Downside: No serious insect or disease problems.
Propagation: By seeds or softwood cuttings; also, stems lying on the soil will root.
USDA/NRCS Plant Distribution Map: View Map at USDA.gov
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Who we are

Cure Nursery is a small nursery propagating and selling native plants for the Southeastern U.S. We are located near the town of Pittsboro, Chatham County, in central NC.

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