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The numerous species and varieties of the evening primrose, which is very popular with us as an ornamental plant, all belong to the large family of evening primrose plants - as well as other genera that are also often found in gardens such as fuchsias, summer azaleas or willowherbs.
The pink flowering willowherbs also belong to the evening primrose family
Worth knowing about the evening primrose family - a profile
The large family of the evening primrose family is basically divided into two large subfamilies, which include the Onagroideae with about 22 genera and the Ludwigioideae with only one genus (but 82 species worldwide). In principle, evening primrose plants are found all over the world, they are only not found in the inhospitable Antarctica and in the hot deserts of Australia.
- Botanical name: Onagraceae
- Family: Evening primrose family
- Order: Myrtales (Myrtales)
- Typical representatives: evening primrose, fuchsia, fireweed, summer azalea
- Appearance: Annual or biennial herbaceous plants, rarely shrubs
- Leaves: deciduous leaves
- flowers: racemose, paniculate or spiked
- Fruits and seeds: Capsules and berries (for fuchsias)
- Distribution: Europe, North America, parts of Asia
- Classification: about 24 different genera and 650 species
The large family of evening primroses
Originally from North and South America, evening primroses (Oenothera) are a very large genus of plants with around 200 different species. They arrived with the seafarers from the New World in the 17th century and quickly became established in many parts of Europe. Evening primroses attract numerous insects with their beguiling scent and serve them as food.
The most beautiful types and varieties
In the overview below you will find some of the most beautiful evening primrose species for the home garden. Within the different species there are numerous different varieties. Evening primroses of the species Oenothera macrocarpa are sometimes also offered under the name "Oenothera missouriensis". Non-true hybrids often go by the term "Oenothera hybrida".
| kind | German name | Look | height | blossom | location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oenothera fruticosa | Red stem evening primrose | loose nest | up to 60 cm | bright yellow | sunny |
| Oenothera macrocarpa | Missouri evening primrose | low nest | up to 30 cm | lemon yellow | full sun |
| Oenothera speciosa | White evening primrose | mat-forming perennial | up to 30 cm | white, pink with white ring | sunny |
| Oenothera biennis | Common evening primrose | shrub | up to 120 cm | yellow | sunny |
| Oenothera odorata | Fragrant evening primrose | shrub | up to 60 cm | soft yellow | sunny |
| Oenothera tetragona | Garden Evening Primrose | Clump-forming perennial | up to 50 cm | bright yellow | sunny |
tips
Apart from their sensitivity to moisture, evening primroses are very grateful garden plants. Once established, the charming flowering perennial can hardly be banished from the garden.