Sundrops Oenothera fruticosa
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Sundrops:
Previously known as:
- Oenothera fruticosa var. humifusa
- Oenothera fruticosa var. linearis
- Oenothera fruticosa var. microcarpa
- Oenothera fruticosa var. subglobosa
- Phonetic Spelling
- oh-no-THER-ah froo-tih-KOH-sah
- Description
-
Sundrops is a native, perennial, erect, day-flowering member of the evening primrose family. It is native to all parts of North Carolina except the high mountains, where although it is striking when seen along roadsides and in meadows, it never achieves the beauty possible under cultivation. It is also found in dry forests, glades, and rock outcrops. Populations from particular habitats have been recognized as distinct varieties, but only one, widespread and polymorphic species is recognized here.
Sundrops prefer moderately fertile, dry, well-drained soil in full sun but will tolerate some shade. Good winter drainage is essential. It can spread quickly in ideal situations but isn't terribly aggressive. The yellow flowers are short-lived but they occur in a succession over a long period. In the south, the rosettes will be purplish-green throughout the winter.
Use this plant in hot dry places such as wild gardens, rock gardens, erosion control on banks, meadows, native plant areas, or cottage gardens.
This plant was selected as the 1989 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Floricyle
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- ‘African Sun’
Rounded compact habit - ‘Cold Crick’
More compact - 'Fireworks'
Bronze foliage, red stems and buds, yellow flowers
- ‘African Sun’
- ‘African Sun’, ‘Cold Crick’, 'Fireworks'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- ‘African Sun’
Rounded compact habit - ‘Cold Crick’
More compact - 'Fireworks'
Bronze foliage, red stems and buds, yellow flowers
- ‘African Sun’
- ‘African Sun’, ‘Cold Crick’, 'Fireworks'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Oenothera
- Species:
- fruticosa
- Family:
- Onagraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used by native Americans for medical purposes
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern North America
- Distribution:
- 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 , WV
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Hummingbirds nectar at the flowers and songbirds eat the seeds. Members of the genus Oenothera support the following specialized bees: Melissodes (Apomelissodes) fimbriatus and Lasioglossum (Sphecodogastra) oenotherae.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant is moderately resistant to damage from deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 4 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
-
-
Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The seed capsule is shaped like a club at the top and tapers to a slender stalk. Fruits are available May-November.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 4-petaled bright yellow flowers are up to 2 inches across. Blooms April- August.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Oblanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The basal leaves are 1-4 inches long, lanceolate to oblanceolate and evergreen in warmer winters areas. They may have a purplish-green color in winter. They have entire or slightly wavy margins and are moderate to densely hairy. Stem leaves are opposite and shorter, 3/4- 1.5 inches long, and narrow elliptical.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The stem is reddish to green with hairs
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Poor Soil
- Problems:
- Weedy
