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Botanical name: Oenothera berlandieri
A compact, prostrate plant with flowers stalks holding pink or white cup-shaped flowers above the plant; a vigorous ground-hugging grower, makes an excellent ground cover.
| Hardiness zone | 4b |
|---|---|
| Flower color | shell pink |
| Foliage type | deciduous * |
| Plant form | spreading |
| Mature height | 12 inches |
| Spread | 30 inches |
| Light requirements | full sun |
| Moisture requirements | dry to average |
| Plant origin | North American native |
* deciduous = loses leaves in winter
Mexican Evening Primrose has masses of beautiful lightly-scented shell pink cup-shaped flowers with rose overtones and yellow eyes along the stems from late spring to early fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its narrow leaves remain olive green in color throughout the season. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.
Mexican Evening Primrose is an herbaceous perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.
This is a high maintenance plant that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
Spreading
Mexican Evening Primrose is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Mass Planting, Border Edging, General Garden Use, Groundcover, Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
Mexican Evening Primrose will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 26 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years.
This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of North America. It can be propagated by division.
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