🌸 Oenothera speciosa – Pink Evening Primrose (گلابی شام گل)

Oenothera speciosa – Pink Evening Primrose (گلابی شام گل)

– Pale pink blooms that glow at dusk, – Low-growing, spreading groundcover,
– Drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly

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🌿 Botanical Name: Oenothera speciosa (ee-NOTH-er-uh spee-SOH-suh)
🌿 Family: Onagraceae (oh-nuh-GRAY-see-ee)
🧊 Hardiness Zone (USA): 4–9
📏 Height: 8 to 18 inches; spreads aggressively as groundcover

🍃 Foliage:
Low rosette of lance-shaped or oval green leaves with shallow lobes or teeth; semi-evergreen in Lahore winters

🌸 Flowering Period (Lahore/Punjab):
March to early July – cup-shaped, silky pink flowers with yellow centers bloom in abundance, opening especially in the evening and early morning

🌼 Companion Plants:

• Coreopsis – vibrant yellow daisy-like blooms for contrast

• Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) – another sun-loving groundcover

• Salvia greggii – upright habit adds structure and color diversity

🏡 Garden Usage:
Excellent for borders, rock gardens, pathways, containers, or mass plantings as a flowering groundcover; also useful for erosion control on sunny slopes

🍈 Fruition:
Produces small, slender seed capsules; self-sows easily and can naturalize in beds if not managed

🌱 Soil: Thrives in sandy, well-drained soil; does well in poor or rocky soils; avoid overly rich soil which reduces flowering

⚖️ pH Value: 6.0–7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

💧 Water:
Low once established; water occasionally in extreme heat; overly wet soil causes rot or fungal issues

🌡️ Temperature:
Well-suited to Lahore’s climate; tolerates summer heat up to 40°C and mild winter frost

☀️ Location Preference (sun or shade):
Full sun to partial shade; blooms best with at least 6 hours of sunlight

🌾 Propagation:
By seeds or root division in autumn or spring; fast-growing and may spread via underground runners

🐛 Pesticides: Generally pest-free; aphids or whiteflies may appear during prolonged humidity—treat with Neem oil if needed

🌻 Fertilizers:
Needs minimal feeding; apply light compost in spring to refresh the soil

🦋 Attractiveness to Wildlife:
Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and moths—especially evening pollinators

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💡 Tip:
Cut back after flowering to prevent excessive self-seeding and to encourage a second flush. Let it naturalize in sun-drenched corners for a wild, soft pink glow.

🌼 May you enjoy planting, spreading, and softening your garden paths with this Pink Evening Primrose (گلابی شام گل).