Grow Evening Primrose

Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) is an American native biennial plant. For some, it is considered to be a weed because it self-seeds rapidly and establishes itself easily. However, provided it's kept under control, evening primrose has delightful fragrant flowers that open at dusk (to attract the moths) and it is a plant with a number of important medical uses.

Steps

1. Be sure that it is legal or appropriate to plant evening primrose where you are. Consider your local environment and biodiversity before adding a plant that sprawls with great ease.
2. Purchase or obtain evening primrose seed.
3. Sow the seed in late spring. Choose soil that is well-drained and in a sunny position. The type of soil isn't really an issue provided it drains well. Evening primrose will grow in cool, warm, hot, arid, places; it's not too fussy.
4. Thin the seedlings to 30cm/12".
5. Water until established. Do not over-water.
6. Let it grow. Evening primrose "thrives on neglect" so it's fairly hard to lose it for lack of nurture. The real problem is keeping it under control because it self-seeds so readily. Be prepared to clean up any spread regularly.
   • Snap off the flower stems after the blooms fade and discard of them. Doing this will prevent the seeds from ripening and spreading.

Video

Template:Video:Grow Evening Primrose

Tips

• Every part of the plant is considered to be edible; the roots are nutty and can be boiled and eaten like a vegetable; the leaves can be added to salads as greens; the seeds can be dried out and chewed.

Things You'll Need

• Evening primrose seeds
• Growing area
• Pruning shears to remove flower heads before seeds ripen

Related Articles

• Grow Basil
• Grow Bergamot
• Grow Tarragon
• Grow Lovage
• Grow Parsley

Sources and Citations

• Murdoch Books, Growing Herbs, p. 227, (2006), ISBN 978-1-74045-870-2 – research source
• Caroline Foley, Jill Nice, and Marcus A Webb, New Herb Bible, p. 84, (2001), ISBN 1-875169-92-X – research source

See also

• Transplant Herb Seedlings
• Cultivate Herbs
• Harvest American Cress
• Grow Lavender from Seed
• Grow Horseradish
• Grow Sage
• Trim Lavender
• Grow Lavender
• Harvest Parsley
• Grow an Herbal Tea Garden

Read more ...

What links here

• Trim Lavender