Common Evening-primrose

🌿 Common Evening Primrose

Ozaawashko-waabigwan
Oenothera biennis

Ozaawashko-waabigwan – The Night-Blooming Meadow Light

Ozaawashko-waabigwan is a resilient biennial known for its tall stems and luminous yellow flowers that open at dusk. In open landscapes, night-blooming plants extend the web of life beyond daylight — feeding moths, supporting pollinators, and carrying summer energy into evening.

A Native Wildflower of Fields and Roadsides

Common Evening Primrose grows in prairies, disturbed soils, sandy fields, and open meadows. In its first year, it forms a low rosette of leaves. In its second year, upright flowering stalks rise 3–5 feet, producing large four-petaled yellow blooms from midsummer into fall. Flowers open in the evening and often remain visible through morning light.

Planting Ozaawashko-waabigwan strengthens succession landscapes and restores biodiversity in sunlit habitats.

Growing Information

Height: 3–5 ft (second year flowering stalk)

Spread: 1–2 ft

Light: Full sun

Soil: Dry to moderately moist, well-drained

Hardiness: Zone 3–9

Growth Rate: Fast (biennial life cycle)

Best planted in prairie restorations, pollinator gardens, and naturalized fields. Thrives in lean soils and tolerates drought and disturbance.

Ecological Importance

Ozaawashko-waabigwan:

• Provides nectar for moths and native bees
• Hosts several sphinx moth (hawkmoth) larvae species
• Stabilizes soil in early-successional habitats
• Contributes to long-season pollinator support

Often allowed to self-seed naturally, forming vibrant colonies that glow at dusk across summer meadows.

Planting to Protect
Restoring to Thrive 🌱
Origin Native Plants 🌱

3.5 inch Pots