missouriensis Evening Primrose

Missouri evening primrose is a low, sprawling perennial with large lemon-yellow flowers. The [Missouri Department of Conservation](https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/missouri-evening-primrose) describes it as Oenothera macrocarpa and notes that older references called it Oenothera missouriensis; [Kew](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:613880-1) treats the latter name as a synonym of Oenothera macrocarpa subsp. macrocarpa. ## Form and bloom The plant reaches about 12 inches tall and spreads to roughly 2 feet across. Its solitary, saucer-shaped yellow flowers can be up to 4 inches wide and bloom from May through August. Flowers often open in late afternoon and remain open into the following morning, then last about a day. ## Where to plant Use it in a sunny, well-drained site such as a rock garden, border, or meadow planting. In Missouri it occurs on limestone glades, bluffs, and rocky prairies; it does poorly in wet, poorly drained soil. The flowers are visited by night-feeding bees and moths, and some moth caterpillars use evening primroses as food plants. ## Maintenance This native wildflower generally needs little care in a suitable site. Keep the soil well drained and give the plant space to sprawl. Avoid placing it where persistent wet soil may cause decline, and allow the flowers to open in the afternoon rather than expecting a morning display.