2017 ASHS Annual Conference

Oenothera drummondii Hook., commonly known as the beach evening primrose or coast evening primrose, is a coastal species ranging from North Carolina, USA to Veracruz, Mexico. A dieback subshrub on the northern limits of its range, this species can grow to be a spreading evergreen shrub in warmer locations. Foliage ranges from bright green to blue-green depending upon the degree of white pubescence present on the leaves. Plants frequently are found in coastal dunes. The cultivar ‘TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5’ (plant patent pending) is a cultivar with denser foliage, a lower growth habit (typically < 30 cm), more grey-green foliage, and numerous yellow flowers compared to the species. Bloom tends to be more free flowering than the species. Flowers are a waxy bright yellow (R.H.S. 2A) and after pollination fade to a light tangerine orange color as they senesce. Petals are 3.0 to 3.5 cm in length by 3.5 to 4.0 cm in width at the broadest locations overlapping to form a cup to open saucer-shaped bloom 7 cm in diameter. Stem cuttings can be rooted in as little as 2 to 3 weeks and growth in container production is rapid. Foliar- and substrate-applied sodium chloride was tolerated in genotypes of O. drummondii as high as half that in seawater. Established plants of this cultivar have tolerated as low as 17 F (-8.3 C) without damage, while newly planted liners exhibited moderate foliar damage in the same plot. Life expectancy varies by location, but typically is 3 to 5 years in cultivated landscapes where winters are not severe (USDA hardiness zones 8b to 13); ‘TX-10-G-L-11-9-12-5’ can be grown as a summer annual in colder climates. Parental genotypes involved in the development of this cultivar originated from Texas coastal regions. This plant requires well drained soils and a sunny to mostly sunny location for strong flowering.