California Evening Primrose
Oenothera californica
Overview
The California Primrose (Oenothera californica) is a drought-tolerant perennial, flourishing with fragrant white to pink blooms that open in the evening. It reaches 6-12 inches in height and spreads 12-18 inches, forming a low-growing rosette. Prefers full sun and well-drained soils, making it ideal for rock gardens and xeriscaping. Flowers from late spring to summer, attracting pollinators such as bees and moths. Zones 8-10.
Sun Full, HalfWater Extra in Summer, LowZones 9–10Type Ground cover, PerennialClimate Temperate

Culture
- Sun
- Full, Half
- Water
- Extra in Summer, Low
- USDA zones
- 9–10
Shape & size
Classification
- Type
- Ground cover, Perennial
- Family
- Onagraceae
- Climate
- Temperate
See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.
Start your 14-day trialPhotos (91)
























Photographs by 15 contributors
- Jim Morefield from Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
- Dionysia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Terry Lucas, CC BY 3.0 · source
- Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- cultivar413 from Fallbrook, California, CC BY 2.0 · source
- Miguel Vieira, CC BY 2.0 · source
- Tom Hilton, CC BY 2.0 · source
- oliveoligarchy from California, United States, CC BY 2.0 · source
- Peter D. Tillman from USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
- Burkhard Mücke, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Wintertanager, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Demi Lucas, CC BY 3.0 · source
- John Rusk from Berkeley, CC BY 2.0 · source
- Alan Vernon, CC BY 2.0 · source
Related plants

Shrub
Angel Earrings Fuchsia
Fuchsia 'Angel's Earrings Dainty'
HalfUSDA 9–11

Ground cover
Beach Evening Primrose
Camissonia Cheiranthifolia
FullUSDA 9–10

Ground cover
Berlandier's Sundrops
Calylophus Berlandieri
FullUSDA 9–10

Perennial
Bolivian Fuchsia
Fuchsia Boliviana
HalfUSDA 7–9

Perennial
California Fuchsia
Zauschneria Californica
FullUSDA 8–11

Perennial
California Fuchsia
Epilobium Canum
FullUSDA 8–11