Pink Evening Primrose, Oenothera speciosa

Pink Evening Primrose, Oenothera speciosa, is sometimes called Buttercup or Pink Ladies. It is a native evergreen perennial that grows to about 1 ft. tall and produces delicate pink blooms. Pink Evening Primrose spreads and forms colonies. It loves moist to wet soil and will tolerate short dry periods. It blooms best in full sun. Pink Evening Primrose goes dormant in the summer and revives in the fall.  Birds and small mammals eat the seed capsules. Butterflies and bees love the nectar and pollen.

This plant can be propagated by seed, division, and cuttings. Seeds are difficult to collect so place a mesh bag over the maturing seed heads. Seeds will germinate without treatment. Cuttings should be done soon after flowering. Cut stems in 5” sections and remove leaves to expose nodes. Dip stems in rooting hormone and place in a pot of soil covered with clear plastic.

If you are going to mow your area with Buttercups, wait until the seed heads are mature.

This plant could be found on the basin levee near our camp on Lake Dauterive every spring. My siblings and I spent many hours trying to trick each other to “smell the flower” and ending up with a nose of pollen. I have this plant in my habitat as a reminder of these happy days. Photo Credit: Louise Prejean