Growing Guide: Ewling Primrose
Growing Tips
(Also known as: Evening Primrose, Common Evening Primrose, King’s Cure-All, Evening Star; botanical synonyms include Onagra biennis and Onothera muricata in older texts)
Plant in full sun to light partial shade for best flowering. Ewling Primrose prefers well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils and thrives with low to moderate moisture; avoid heavy, waterlogged ground. This hardy biennial tolerates a wide temperature range and easily withstands frost once established. Fertilization is generally unnecessary—lean soils enhance bloom and seed quality. Minimal pruning is needed; removing spent stems after seed set can tidy the plant or allow natural reseeding for a self-sustaining patch. Suitable for in-ground plantings, meadow-style gardens, or low-care borders. Growth is moderate, with a leafy first year and tall flowering stems in year two. Plants set seed in late summer to fall.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Oenothera biennis |
| Common Names | Ewling Primrose, Evening Primrose, Common Evening Primrose, King’s Cure-All, Evening Star |
| Family | Onagraceae |
| Origin | North America |
| Plant Type | Herbaceous biennial |
| Life Cycle | Biennial |
| Mature Size | 3–5 ft tall × 1–2 ft wide |
| Light | Full Sun to Part Sun |
| Water Needs | Low to Moderate |
| Soil | Well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils |
| Bloom Time | Summer to early fall |
| Flower Color | Yellow |
| USDA Zones | 3–9 |
| Florida Native | Yes, in much of the state |
| Propagation | Seeds |
| Seasonal Traits | Deciduous biennial |
| Time to Harvest | Seeds mature in late summer to fall of the second year |
