sundrops
Oenothera fruticosa
USDA zones4 to 8
SunHandles full sun to partial shade
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size12 to 24 inches tall12 to 24 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Yellow
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Sundrops (Oenothera fruticosa) is a perennial for borders, rock gardens, ground cover, and pollinator gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, or down to -30°F (-34°C). This plant likes full sun to part shade and dry to moist soil of most types. Golden-yellow, four-petaled flowers open about 2 in. wide and draw hummingbirds and bees. The plant spreads rapidly in good conditions but does not usually become aggressive. It sits low on the menu for deer. Its evergreen basal rosette turns reddish-purple over winter.
Pairs well with Caradonna sage, Blue-eyed grass, and Standing Ovation little bluestem.
Native range
AL, AR, CT, DC, and 25 more places. See all 29
AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, and WV.