Dwarf Evening Primrose Open Pollinated Seeds (Oenothera missouriensis) Low-growing wildflower with lemon-yellow blooms; ideal for borders, dry slopes, and pollinator beds

Minimum: 50+ Seeds

Golden Evenings, Grounded Beauty – Dwarf Evening Primrose

Low-growing but luminous, Dwarf Evening Primrose (Oenothera missouriensis) brings vibrant lemon-yellow blooms to the quiet corners of the garden, spreading beauty across borders, rocky slopes, and dry beds where few others thrive. Native to the central and southern U.S., this compact, ground-hugging wildflower is a beacon for bees and butterflies during the day and opens wide to the setting sun, glowing like gold through twilight.

With its sprawling habit and cheerful flowers that can reach 4 inches across, Oenothera missouriensis forms dense mats of silver-green foliage, making it an ideal choice for xeriscapes, cottage gardens, rock gardens, native meadows, and wild pollinator strips. Its adaptability to poor, dry soils and extreme heat makes it a beloved staple for low-maintenance and climate-resilient landscapes.

Why Gardeners Love Dwarf Evening Primrose Seeds:

• Lemon-yellow blooms that open in late afternoon and last through the night

• Low-growing, spreading habit perfect for borders, slopes, and edges

• Drought-tolerant, heat-hardy, and great for poor soils

• Blooms from late spring through summer

• Native to Zones 4–9 across the Great Plains and beyond

• Attracts butterflies, bees, and nocturnal moths

Growing Tips from Experience:

Dwarf Evening Primrose is best direct sown into well-drained soil in full sun. If sowing in spring, cold-stratify seeds for 30 days to mimic natural dormancy. This plant appreciates lean, gravelly, or sandy soil and does not like to be overwatered. Once established, it will form a spreading clump up to 12 inches tall and 18–24 inches wide.

Cut back in late fall or early spring to encourage fresh growth. In hot climates, its silvery foliage reflects light and resists wilting, making it an excellent choice for sun-scorched spaces.

A Heritage Plant for the Modern Garden:

Also known as Ozark Sundrop, this species has long been treasured by prairie dwellers and naturalists for its resilience and charm. Its glowing flowers nod gently in the evening breeze, welcoming pollinators and softening the harsh lines of rocks and borders. While small in stature, it makes a big visual impact, especially when mass planted.

From ecological restoration projects to home gardens with rustic flair, Dwarf Evening Primrose adds a glowing elegance while supporting native pollinator populations.

Looking for a native groundcover that does more than fill space? Sow this wildflower and let your garden bask in golden light, every evening.