Kerryjoe's Garden

About this plant

Genus: Oenothera.

Species: Oenothera biennis.

Purchased from - The wind
Purchase cost - FREE.....it's a weed
Current height x spread 2008 - 5ft x 5ft
Expected height x spread - ??
Habit - Biennial plant with erect stem. The flowers appear anytime from June to October, they are 1 to 2-1/2 inches across, bright yellow with four petals and have a lemony scent. The flowers are only around for a day or so, they first open in the evening (hence the name) and are said to glow in the dark, unfortunately they wither and die the following day but remains covered in new flowers. All parts of the plant are edible.
Garden placement - Corner of large top bed in back garden with full sun.
Personal notes - The seed pod is an oblong, hairy capsule which contains the precious seeds.
If planting by seed it requires light to germinate so they should be scattered on the soil surface and tamped lightly. Watering and freezing the seeds may help in germination by cracking the seed coats. It should be kept free from weeds as it doesn't compete well with other plants. The roots grow deep into the ground and care should be taken not to break them in removing. It takes 15-30 days for propogation. Seeds may also be sown in cold frames in autumn for planting out the following year.