NEW!! Arkansas Valley Evening Primrose
NEW FOR 2026!!
Oenothera harringtonii
Arkansas Valley Evening Primrose
Annual, Biennial or Short Lived Perennial
This is such a cool plant. I found it in the Arkansas River Valley near Florence in sandy, clayey, alkaline soils, the kind you think you can't grow anything in. It's perfect for those difficult spots.
Very showy! Fragrant! It can grow to 16" with an upright spike as large, white blooms line the main stem. 5-10 blooms can open at once! The flowers open at night and fade to pink by mid-day leaving interesting knobby seed pods tightly packed up the stem.
Leaves are lance shaped with toothed edges and the stems are reddish in color.
Considered endemic to Colorado, many believe it can also be found in New Mexico.
No matter where it's found, it's a special beauty.
Sow in fall to very early spring, needs some stratification. Sow on the surface as they need light to germinate. Press them in gently and keep moist through germination. You can stratify in the refrigerator for a month or two in a moist medium as well.