j3707
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Joined: Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:11 pm
Location: Pacific Northwest, Zone 8, 48" annual rainfall, dry summers.

Northwest(?) Wildflower ID

I scattered a few packets of wildflower seeds (Ed Hume's I think) on the little hill behind my house. The soil is very dense, lots of clay. Most of it is covered in English Ivy, but I tore out maybe a 10X6 foot section to experiment with the wildflowers.

Of the entire mix, it looks like only one or two types came up. I'm trying to ID one so I can sow more seed next year. Here is a link to the flower...it's a pretty little thing and it has earned my respect! Do you know what it is?

[url]https://www.flickr.com/photos/40368264@N03/[/url]

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rainbowgardener
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Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: TN/GA 7b

Not for sure, but I think it's something from the genus oenothera. They are native wildflowers with a number of different species. Most often go by the names of evening primrose or sundrops. Often they are yellow flowered, but there are some pink varieties too, but I haven't seen any as deep pink as yours ... very pretty.

Here's a link to a photo that shows the X through the middle of the flower, which is distinctive to evening primrose (the tip of the stigma is cross shaped):
https://photos-by-reagan.com/images/Pink_Evening_Primrose_21_.jpg

here's a picture of a yellow variety, but showing the rather distinctive bud shape like yours:

https://www.cfgphoto.com/img2867.htm

So I think it is some relative of these or some cultivar, but I don't know exactly which.

j3707
Green Thumb
Posts: 306
Joined: Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:11 pm
Location: Pacific Northwest, Zone 8, 48" annual rainfall, dry summers.

Thanks! Evening Primrose...I think you nailed it. The flowers have four petals, though one has five. Somehow I have a dark pink species/cultivar...one of the flowers even has dark pink/light pink stripes.

When I was up there to I also found two other what look to be flowering plants...but no flowers yet. I think one of them might be forget-me-not.

From what I've read so far, it sounds like the evening primrose self-seeds pretty well. I'd like to have more next year...can I help them out or is it best to let nature do it for me?

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rainbowgardener
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Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: TN/GA 7b

I have the missouri sundrops, yellow version of oenothera. They spread quite readily, not only by seeds but by spreading from the roots to form big colonies. Once they start spreading like that, you can very easily divide up the colony and transplant them to anywhere in your garden you like them. They are tough, hardy plants that transplant easily and survive a variety of different sun/part sun situations. They are not invasive, but once established do spread a lot. I'm now giving them away....



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