Tall Evening Primrose

Tall Evening Primrose (Oenothera elata) is in the evening primrose family family (Onagraceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,012 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.

Nationally it blooms mainly from May to November, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.

When to photograph Tall Evening Primrose: observations by month (U.S.)

About Tall Evening Primrose

Oenothera elata is a species of Oenothera known by the common name Hooker's evening primrose or tall evening primrose. Subspecies include hookeri, hirsutissima, longisima, jamesii, villosa and elata. It is native to much of western and central North America. The plants are quite tall, especially the hookeri subspecies, native to California, which can reach about 1.8 meters (6 feet) height. The plants are found along roadsides, in moist meadows, or woodland, from sea level up toFrom Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Tall Evening Primrose by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related wildflowers (evening primrose family)

FireweedChamaenerion angustifolium

California fuchsiaEpilobium canum

PinkladiesOenothera speciosa

BrowneyesChylismia claviformis

Ruby Chalice ClarkiaClarkia rubicunda

Winecup ClarkiaClarkia purpurea

California primroseEulobus californicus

Broadleaf Enchanter's NightshadeCircaea canadensis

Photography tips

• Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
• Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
• Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
• Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.

FAQ