Mexican Evening Primrose – Desert Horizon Nursery

Mexican Evening Primrose

Oenothera speciosa
Categories:
Perennials  ·  
Perennials
Light
Full sun (afternoon shade in low desert)
Water
Low to moderate water once established. Water deeply, then let the upper soil dry; occasional summer irrigation helps maintain foliage during extreme heat.
Size
1-2 ft tall × 2-4 ft wide (spreading)
Habit
Groundcover – trailing
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Description
A spreading herbaceous perennial with delicate, cup-shaped pink flowers that form colorful drifts; also called pink evening primrose.
Bloom Time
Spring through summer
Deciduous / Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Special Features
Attracts Bees / Pollinators, Showy Flowers
Growth Rate
Moderate to fast
Growth Habit
Groundcover – trailing
Mature Size
1-2 ft tall × 2-4 ft wide (spreading)
Flower Color
Pink to white
Foliage Color
Green
Landscape Use
Border / Bed, Groundcover
Garden Style
Hedge / Formal, Pollinator / Wildlife
Soil
Alkaline Tolerant, Sandy / Rocky, Well-Drained
Companion Plants
Autumn sage, Blackfoot daisy, Deer grass, Desert marigold
Non-toxic
Non-toxic
Care Instructions

Light: Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade is beneficial in Phoenix’s intense summer heat.

Water: Low to moderate water once established. Water deeply, then let the upper soil dry; occasional summer irrigation helps maintain foliage during extreme heat.

Soil: Well-drained sandy or loamy soil; tolerates alkaline soil and relatively poor fertility. Avoid persistently soggy conditions.

Mature size: 8–18 inches tall and 2–3 feet wide initially; spreads farther over time to form large colonies.

Bloom: Primarily spring to early summer in Phoenix; occasional repeat blooms in fall with cooler temperatures and adequate moisture.

Evergreen / deciduous: Semi-evergreen in mild conditions; may die back during winter cold or become dormant during extreme summer heat and drought.

Growth rate: Fast.