How big does Missouri evening primrose grow?

About 25 cm × 50 cm after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 15–30 cm × 30–60 cm.

What soil does Missouri evening primrose grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy, calcareous.

Is Missouri evening primrose hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

When does Missouri evening primrose flower?

Flowering: May–September, yellow.

How much water does Missouri evening primrose need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

Missouri evening primrose

Oenothera macrocarpa

Missouri evening primrose (Oenothera macrocarpa) is a ground cover plant that reaches 25 cm × 50 cm after ten years. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Sold in local shops from about €4.70.

Illustration of Missouri evening primrose — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A sprawling perennial with trailing stems that carries huge, hand-sized, lemon yellow, lightly scented flowers for months from early summer; they open in late afternoon and last until the next morning. Thanks to its deep taproot it copes well with hot, dry, stony or limy soil, so it suits rock gardens, gravel beds, the top of a retaining wall and sunny banks. Plant it only where the drainage is good, because it rots in wet winter soil, and because of the taproot it does not like being moved.

Watch out for

No serious pests or diseases. The main risk is root rot: in heavy soil that stays wet in winter the crown easily dies, so in such places plant it in a raised bed opened up with gravel and do not overwater. It comes up late in spring, so do not hoe out its spot. In a favourable place it seeds itself but is not pushy; this species is not one of the biennial evening primroses that have run wild in Central Europe.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Low
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 25 cm × 50 cm
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D May–September, yellow

Group	Ground cover
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	25 cm × 50 cm
Ultimate size	15–30 cm × 30–60 cm
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	May–September, yellow
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	40 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	no data
Typical price	from about €4.70

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €4.70

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

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Ground cover plants Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Plants for a Mediterranean garden Rock garden plants Fragrant plants

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