For the past several weeks, my wife and I have enjoyed the beauty of evening primroses.  I wish we could say we  planted these native plants, but I cannot.  They sprang up in some of the driest, poorest soil in our yard.  They have taken root in a patch of poor, dry, red clay soil along the end of our driveway.  This is a very precarious spot since it is in a zone routinely mowed by the Georgia Department of Transportation.  We have come to the realization we are going to have the best chance that primrose will continue to provide the beautiful color and provide food for pollinators, songbirds and others in various spots around our yard, now is the time to act.

       The evening primrose is a native biennial.  This means the plant has a life span that only lasts two years.  During its first year, it germinates, grows roots, short stems and leaves.  During the second year it grows tall flower stalks that are festooned with bright yellow flowers.  After the plant blooms it dies.

       There are several different ways to propagate the plant.  We plan on gathering a few of the plants’ dry seed pods.  We will then scatter the tiny seeds in two locations. Some seeds will be sown in pots.  Others will be scattered on bare soil at various spots around the yard.   If you spread the seeds directly on the ground select spots rated as poor to average. We will not make any effort to cover the seeds. By planting the seeds in the fall, the seeds will be exposed to natural stratification.

     You might be wondering why we are trying to promote evening primrose.  There are a number of reasons why we want to establish a thriving population of primrose in our yard. First of all, we enjoy the beauty provided by the plants’ showy yellow blossoms.

       The flowers also provide nectar for a number of moths and butterflies and is also serves a host plant for a number of species of moths.

       Primrose also provides food for many species of bees; this list includes sweat bees, carpenter bees and bumblebees.

       Both hummingbirds and butterflies also dine on the plants’ nectar.

       As for vertebrates, American goldfinches and a variety of sparrows and other songbirds eat the plants’ small seeds.  Small mammals also eat primrose seeds.

       If the evening primrose seems to be a plant you want to add to your native plant community, I suggest you research the various ways evening primrose can be propagated. 

       If you are successful in establishing evening primrose on your property, I strongly suspect you will feel that your efforts were well worth it.