The numerous species and varieties of the evening primrose, which is very popular with us as an ornamental plant, all belong to the large evening primrose family - as do other genera that are also often found in gardens, such as fuchsias, summer azaleas or fireweed.
What are typical characteristics of the evening primrose family?
Evening primroses are a family of plants with about 24 genera and 650 species, including evening primroses, fuchsias, fireweeds and summer azaleas. Their annual or biennial herbaceous appearance, deciduous leaves, racemose, paniculate or spiked flowers and capsule fruits or berries are typical.
What you should know about the evening primrose family – a profile
The large evening primrose family is basically divided into two large subfamilies, which include the Onagroideae with around 22 genera and the Ludwigioideae with only one genus (but 82 species represented worldwide). In principle, evening primroses can be found everywhere on the globe, except for the inhospitable Antarctic and the hot deserts of Australia.
- Botanical name: Onagraceae
- Family: Evening Primrose Family
- Order: Myrtales
- Typical representatives: evening primrose, fuchsia, fireweed, summer azalea
- Appearance: annual or biennial herbaceous plants, rarely shrubs
- Leaves: leaves
- Flowers: racemose, paniculate or spikey
- Fruits and seeds: capsule fruits and berries (for fuchsias)
- Distribution: Europe, North America, parts of Asia
- Systematics: around 24 different genera and 650 species
The large family of evening primroses
The evening primroses (Oenothera), originally from North and South America, are a very large genus of plants with around 200 different species. They came with the sailors from the New World in the 17th century and quickly became native to many parts of Europe. Evening primroses attract numerous insects with their intoxicating scent and serve as food for them.
The most beautiful species and varieties
In the overview below you will find some of the most beautiful types of evening primrose for the home garden. There are numerous different varieties within the different species. Evening primroses of the species Oenothera macrocarpa are sometimes also offered under the name “Oenothera missouriensis”. Non-varietal hybrids are often referred to as “Oenothera hybrida”.
| Art | German name | Appearance | Height | Bloom | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oenothera fruticosa | Red-stemmed evening primrose | loose Horst | up to 60 cm | bright yellow | sunny |
| Oenothera macrocarpa | Missouri Evening Primrose | lower Horst | up to 30 cm | lemon yellow | full sunny |
| Oenothera speciosa | White Evening Primrose | mat-forming perennial | up to 30 cm | white, rose-red with white ring | sunny |
| Oenothera biennis | Common Evening Primrose | Perennial | up to 120 cm | yellow | sunny |
| Oenothera odorata | Fragrant Evening Primrose | Perennial | up to 60 cm | soft yellow | sunny |
| Oenothera tetragona | Garden Evening Primrose | Clust-forming perennials | up to 50 cm | bright yellow | sunny |
Tip
Evening primroses are, apart from their sensitivity to moisture, very grateful garden plants. Once established, the charming flowering perennial can hardly be banished from the garden.