Photo: ZooFari, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Perennial
Pink evening primrose: when and how to prune
Oenothera speciosa
Pink evening primrose is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | June–September |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Pink evening primrose: when to prune it?
In March, cut away last year’s dead stems, just before new growth starts.
What else to prune in those months? March
Pink evening primrose: how to prune it?
- Cut all old stems back to just above the ground.
- In summer you can shorten long, untidy stems; there is no need to remove spent flowers.
- During the spring tidy-up, chop off any runners that stray outside the space you want it to fill.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pink evening primrose flowers in June–September, when it attracts bees.
- If you only cut back in March, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
Caution: Do not prune in autumn: the old stems protect the plant in winter.
Nearby: related pruning guides
- Missouri evening primrose (Oenothera macrocarpa)
- Narrowleaf evening primrose (Oenothera fruticosa)
- Gaura
Plant profile: Pink evening primrose · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.