Quick answer: Hooker's evening primrose (Oenothera elata) is native to 14 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. No live listing of the true species was found as of 24 Oct 2026.
Photo: by User:Stan Shebs, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Medium |
| Soil | Moist, sandy |
| Bloom | Bloom Jun-Sep |
| Height | 2-5 ft |
| Wildlife value | Night-flying moths, goldfinches |
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 24 Oct 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
No live seed or plant listing found as of 24 Oct 2026. That means our last search didn't surface one — not that the plant is unavailable. Try a regional native-plant nursery.
Quick answers about Hooker's evening primrose
Where is Hooker's evening primrose native?
Hooker's evening primrose (Oenothera elata) is native to 14 states across the Midwest, South and West. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Hooker's evening primrose bloom?
Hooker's evening primrose blooms Jun-Sep. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Hooker's evening primrose need?
Light: Sun. Water: Medium. Soil: Moist, sandy. Mature height: 2-5 ft.
Is Hooker's evening primrose good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Night-flying moths, goldfinches.
Where can I buy Hooker's evening primrose?
We haven't found an online listing of the true wild species as of 24 Oct 2026. A regional native-plant nursery or native seed company is your best source; ask for Oenothera elata by its scientific name.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Hooker's evening primrose.
- Lewis flax (blue flax) Linum lewisii
- Rubber rabbitbrush Ericameria nauseosa
- Showy milkweed Asclepias speciosa
- Scarlet gilia Ipomopsis aggregata
- Rocky Mountain iris Iris missouriensis
- Indian ricegrass Achnatherum hymenoides
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