White-tufted Evening-Primrose
Oenothera caespitosa
White-tufted Evening-Primrose (Oenothera caespitosa) is a Colorado-native perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 6 in tall and 12 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. CO native perennial; supports pollinators.
Colorado nativeOn the CSU listlow to medium water6 in tall and 12 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
Plan your garden
Not sure what to plant? The finder matches Front Range trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcover to your soil, water, sun, and zone.
Ready to plant this?
At a glance
- Botanical name
- Oenothera caespitosa
- Type
- Perennial
- Mature size
- 6 in tall and 12 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~8–12 in apart
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
- Bloom color
- white, pink
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer, mid summer
- Pollinator value
- high
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Native ecoregion
- shortgrass prairie, foothills
Planting & establishment
Native perennial; deep-water first season to establish, then minimal water needed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is White-tufted Evening-Primrose good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, White-tufted Evening-Primrose is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does White-tufted Evening-Primrose get?
- It matures to about 6 in tall and 12 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant White-tufted Evening-Primrose?
- Space White-tufted Evening-Primrose about 8 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 12 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is White-tufted Evening-Primrose hardy on the Front Range?
- White-tufted Evening-Primrose is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does White-tufted Evening-Primrose need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is White-tufted Evening-Primrose native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is White-tufted Evening-Primrose deer-resistant?
- White-tufted Evening-Primrose is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is White-tufted Evening-Primrose a good firewise plant near the house?
- White-tufted Evening-Primrose is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does White-tufted Evening-Primrose bloom?
- White-tufted Evening-Primrose blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
