Showy Evening Primrose in Zone 6a & 6b
Oenothera speciosa
Yes, showy evening primrose grows in zones 6a and 6b and comes back each year. Plant it outside Apr 25–May 2.
When to plant showy evening primrose in zone 6b
Zones 6a and 6b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 25–May 2 |
| Estimated bloom | First real harvest the season after planting |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2 ft.
Before you plant: Showy evening primrose has a winter-hardiness note for zone 6b. See the details below.
Plant alongside it in zone 6b
These go outside within two weeks of showy evening primrose in zone 6b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumMay 2–May 9
- MarigoldMay 2–May 9
- African DaisyApr 25–May 2
- Amaranthus (Love-Lies-Bleeding)Apr 25–May 2
- Ammi (False Queen Anne's Lace)Apr 25–May 2
- Ammobium (Winged Everlasting)Apr 25–May 2
Showy evening primrose is the most aggressive plant here, and the extension source says so directly rather than hinting at it.
How showy evening primrose fits zone 6's season
Zone 6b's frost-free window runs about 173 days, from April 25 to October 15. Showy evening primrose takes about 1 growing season to reach full flowering, so what matters here is how many of these seasons it gets, not whether one is long enough.
Showy evening primrose is hardy in zones 5-8, so in zone 6b it stays in the ground through winter and comes back rather than being replanted. Allow about 2 ft of spread at maturity.
Showy Evening Primrose planting windows in every zone
Zone 6b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | May 10–May 17 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 6a & 6b (your zone) | Not usually | Apr 25–May 2 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Apr 10–Apr 17 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Mar 25–Apr 1 | First real harvest the season after planting |
Good companions
No well-established companions for showy evening primrose.
Where to buy showy evening primrose seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries showy evening primrose seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing showy evening primrose" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 6b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Showy Evening Primrose in USDA zone 6b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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