In the first year, the usually two-year-old evening primrose (Oenothera) only produces a low rosette of leaves. In its second year, the perennial finally grows taller and shows its mostly bright yellow flowers between June and August. With its intense scent, the plant attracts numerous butterflies and other insects. It can be propagated quite easily by sowing, cuttings or division.
How do you propagate an evening primrose?
The evening primrose can be propagated in three ways: by sowing seeds directly outdoors or pre-cultivating on the windowsill, by cuttings from non-flowering shoots in early summer or by dividing the perennial in its second year. Always make sure there are enough roots and shoots.
Propagate evening primrose by seeds
Between June and August you can sow the evening primrose seeds directly outdoors or, if targeted sowing in a specific location is not that important to you, you can wait to sow them yourself. From March onwards, pre-culture on the windowsill at home is also possible. The seeds should be planted about two centimeters deep into the ground and later separated as seedlings at a distance of about 25 centimeters. The young plants can stay outside over the winter as evening primroses are hardy.
Propagation by cuttings
However, seed propagation does not make sense in all cases. Modern hybrid varieties, for example, cannot be propagated by sowing a single variety: in this case, everything would come out, except the mother plant. Instead, propagation through cuttings provides relief. For this purpose, cut a few half-ripe cuttings from non-flowering shoots in early summer (i.e. around June to July). You can also plant these approximately ten centimeter long cuttings in the garden straight away.
Reproduction by division
In the second year, the perennial can also be propagated and rejuvenated by division. To do this, you must first dig up the evening primrose, but if possible, avoid damaging any roots. Evening primroses develop taproots that can reach quite deep. Make sure that each section has enough roots and several shoots. All torn and injured plant parts should be removed, otherwise they can serve as a target for fungi and other pathogens.
Tip
If you collect the evening primrose seeds or want them to sow themselves, protect the seed capsules from hungry birds - after all, evening primrose seeds are not only very popular with people, poultry also know what is good for them.