Oenothera versicolor Sunset Boulevard
Oenothera versicolor Sunset Boulevard
Hardy Herbaceous Perennial
- Flowers: Summer
- Position: Full sun
- Soil: Well drained
- Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
- Height: 24 inches
- Germination: Experience Useful
- Aftercare: Easy
- Special Features: Flowers in first year
- Ideal for: Bedding, Border, Cottage Garden
Description
Well branched plants, red stemmed with rich green, lanceolate foliage. The striking flowers are in whorls, vivid orange/red when fully open and when over, turn to red. Like many Oenotheras, the combination of open and spent bloom together, is stunning. This very choice plant makes a wonderful addition to the perennial border and because it flowers in its first year from sowing, it also makes an attractive annual.
Sowing Instructions
| Sowing time: | late winter to mid spring. |
|---|
Sow on the surface of a good seed compost just covering the seed with a thin layer of compost or vermiculite. Germination takes 14- 21 days at 10-15C (50-60F). Don't exclude light, sealing in a polythene bag after sowing is helpful.
Growing Instructions
When large enough to handle, transplant the seedlings to boxes or 7.5cm (3in) pots, and grow on in cooler conditions. When well grown gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions and plant out in late spring after all risk of frost has passed, 30cm (12in) apart in full sun and ordinary well drained soil.
Aftercare Instructions
Cut down to ground level in late autumn.