The PALMETIO, Summer 1994, Page 9 Sundrops and Friends by Rufino Osorio

Eorida's Panhandle is home to one and the sprawling, ground-covering of our most attractive native wild• plants become a solid blanket of color flowers, Oenothera fruticosa, a plant when in full bloom. wi th the delightful common name of Although not invasive under natu• sundrops. Widespread outside of ral conditions where competition Florida throughoutthe eastern United from other plants and the vagaries of States, this is a plant which is found ~ climate keep it in check, this plant is in moist, sunny areas. Early in the o~ extremely aggressive in gardens. It growing season it produces basal ro spreads through underground stems rosettes of leaves that are sometimes ~ (rhizomes) and a single plant can accented by random burgundy spots. $ cover a surprisingly large area. Also, As the season progresses, each rosette (5 self-sown seedlings become readily produces a stem approximately 12 to E established in garden settings. 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) tall. The tips ~ Because showy primrose is so at- v,,9. of the stems are gracefully recurved, Q) tractive, and because it looks "native" like a swan's neck, and carry abun• -s when growing along roadsides, it can dant pointed flower buds. By late Oenothera fruticosa ~ easily find its way into wildflower spring, the buds open into brilliant, ~ gardens. This is all the more likely golden yellow flowers. The color is & since it is perfectly suited for xeric difficult to capture on film, and there § landscape gardens and for dry, ex• often appears to be just a hint of red u:: posed sites where other plants are in the flowers, adding a depth and difficult to establish. However, please intensity to the yellow color which is realize that it is not originally native nearly unrivaled among our native to Florida and should not be grown wildflowers. in public wildflower gardens, nor Plants grown far to the south or Oenothera speciosa should it be planted in sites that are north of their native range sometimes in close proximity to natural areas present problems. Often, they may beds become spectacular sheets of and into which showy primrose grow well but will not flower, or else molten gold when the plants are in might spread. The latter precaution is they will flourish for a year or two bloom. to be taken, not because showy prim• and then collapse, seemingly pining Two relatives of sundrops that rose might prove aggressively inva• away for their far-off home. grow in Florida have potential as sive, but because natural areas are However, I am growing Sundrops garden plants, although both have now so rare that every effort should far from the Panhandle in Palm spreading tendencies and must be be taken to maintain them in a pris• Beach County without any difficul• planted with care so that they will tine state. Fortunately, experience ties. Although favoring moist prairies not overrun the garden. Oenothera with other plants introduced into in nature, I am growing it under humifusa, seaside evening-primrose, Florida from the western states (such average garden conditions where it grows naturally along Florida's coast as Gaillardia pulchella and Phlox receives three to four hours of full where it thrives under harsh condi• drummondii) has shown that such sun. It unflinchingly grows right tions including relentless winds, plants, while sometimes becoming through our dry season even though scorching sun, and irregular rainfall. common, do not become ecologically the garden does not receive supple• The foliage of this plant is attractively disruptive weeds. mental water. Large mature plants clothed with silvery hairs and it Two of the three plants discussed form impressive clumps and are makes an interesting ground cover for here have common names that in• magnificent in full bloom. Propaga• a dry sunny spot. But be warned! If clude the word "primrose"; however, tion is easily effected by dividing the happy, seedlings will pop up every• they are not botanically related to the plant with a sharp knife. where. The small flowers are pale true primroses in the genus Primula. Sundrops is a carefree perennial yellow and, true to their name, open Yellow-flowered species of Oenothera and would make an attractive addi• in the evening and are withered by vaguely reminded Europeans of the tion to any garden. In fact, in Chicago late morning. yellow-flowered primrose of Europe, it is utilized in perennial garden beds Oenothera speciosa, showy primrose, Primula veris. The name stuck, and right along with traditional non-na• is native to the Great Plains; but it is now even species of Oenothera that tive garden plants such as chrysan• becoming established throughout lack yellow flowers carry the word themums, delphiniums, irises, and many parts of the United States, primrose in their common names. peonies. It is also used as a flowering including Florida. Showy primrose is Rufino Osorio is enthusiastic about groundcover, and I have seen huge indeed attractive and lives up to its neglected native plants that have definite beds many square yards in extent common name. The large flowers horticultural potential and are easy to vary from pure white to deep pink, planted solely with sund!ops. These grow throughout a wide range of Florida.