Mexican Evening Primrose

Plant Type: perennial
Plant Height: 6-12 inches
Spread: 1-2 feet
Flower Color: pink, sometimes white
Sun Exposure: Full Sun

Description:

Mexican Evening Primrose is a perennial plant known for its beautiful, delicate flowers and its ability to thrive in a variety of conditions. Native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, it's a popular choice in gardens for its ease of care and vibrant display of color.

The most striking feature of Mexican Evening Primrose is its flowers. The blooms are bright pink with a distinct yellow center and appear in profusion from spring to summer. The flowers tend to open in the evening and close in the morning, hence the name "evening primrose." They are particularly attractive to bees and butterflies, making the plant a beneficial addition to pollinator gardens.

In addition to its attractive blooms, Mexican Evening Primrose has a sprawling growth habit with lance-shaped, green leaves. The plant can spread quickly and cover a large area, making it an excellent choice for ground cover, rock gardens, or as a border plant.

Mexican Evening Primrose is adaptable to a range of soil types, including poor, well-drained soils. It's drought-tolerant once established, making it a great choice for water-wise gardening and xeriscaping. The plant can thrive in full sun, where it produces the most abundant blooms.

While beautiful and easy to grow, Mexican Evening Primrose can be aggressive in its spread, so it's important to consider its placement and control its growth if necessary.

Overall, Mexican Evening Primrose is valued for its lovely flowers, ease of care, and ability to adapt to challenging conditions. Its sprawling habit and vibrant blooms make it a popular choice for adding color and coverage to a variety of garden settings.

Three Timbers Installation Guide (Feel Free to Follow): Mexican Evening Primrose

Planting Guide:

• Location: Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight for optimal growth and blooming)
• Soil: Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil (slightly acidic to neutral soil preferred)
• Spacing: Space plants 2-3 feet apart to allow for spreading growth
• Planting Depth: Plant at the same depth as the root ball, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface
• Support: Mexican Evening Primrose requires no staking and grows in a mounding, spreading form with showy, white or pink flowers

Watering Guide:

Watering After Planting:

• Initial Watering: Water thoroughly immediately after planting to saturate the root ball and surrounding soil
• Frequency: Water every 3-4 days for the first 2-3 weeks to help establish the root system
• Watering Amount: Provide 1-1.5 inches of water per session for deep watering

When is the Plant Established?

• Timeframe: Mexican Evening Primrose is considered established after 2-3 months when the roots have spread into the surrounding soil

Watering Once Established:

• Summer: Water every 7-10 days during the hotter months. If temperatures exceed 100°F, increase watering to every 5-7 days. Provide 2-3 inches of water per session.
• Winter: Water every 3-4 weeks during the cooler months, depending on rainfall.

Drip Irrigation Setup:

• Placement of Emitters: Place the drip emitters 12-18 inches away from the base of the plant for deep watering
• Flow Rate: Use emitters with a flow rate of 1-2 gallons per hour
• Number of Emitters: 1 emitter per plant for even watering distribution
• Adjusting Frequency: In summer, increase watering to every 5-7 days. In winter, reduce to every 3-4 weeks