Oenothera speciosa (Pink Evening Primrose)
Also known as Showy Primrose, Showy Evening Primrose or Showy Primrose.
Pink Evening Primrose is an upright to sprawling perennial which blooms range in color from dark pink to white. Hardy and drought resistant, it can form large colonies. In southern parts of its range, blooms tend to be darker pink or rose and to open in the morning. Northern populations are often paler or white and night-blooming. Blooms heaviest during spring, with blooms diminishing in size as the weather gets hotter. Each flower lasts only a single day.
Pink Evening Primrose cannot withstand complete soil dryness. Plants often go dormant in summer, re-sprouting with fall rains. Can work as a dense foliage groundcover in shade, but won't bloom without adequate sunlight.
Because it spreads, it is best used in large beds, prairies, meadow gardens, lawn or naturalized areas. It does well paired with Prairie Verbena, Gregg's Mistflower, Gregg's Dalea and Texas Lantana planted in groupings.
AT A GLANCE
| Texas native | Yes |
| Water use | Low, medium |
| Sun exposure | Full sun to part sun |
| Bloom color | Pink to white |
| Bloom time | Heaviest blooms in the spring |
| Mature height | 1-2 ft |
| Attracts | Bees, butterflies |
| Deer resistant |
Yes |
| Edible | Cook as greens or in salads. Tastes best when collected before flowering. |
| Notes | Native bee friendly. |
DISTRIBUTION MAPS
 Present in state |
 Present in county and native |
 Native to North America, but adventive & escaped in state |
 Not present in state |
 Present and rare, native in county |
 Previously present, now extinct |
 Questionable presence (cross-hatched, regardless of color) |