Tall Evening Primrose (Oenothera elata) is a striking biennial to short-lived perennial wildflower native to the western United States and northern Mexico. It grows in moist meadows, streambanks, and open forest clearings, often thriving at mid to high elevations where summer monsoon moisture supports its growth. Known for its tall, leafy stems and brilliant yellow, four-petaled flowers that open in the evening and close by morning, this species adds vertical presence and nighttime beauty to native gardens and reclamation sites.
 
Tall Evening Primrose plays a crucial role in nocturnal pollinater communities. Its fragrant flowers attract moths, particularly sphinx moths, which serve as its primary pollinators. The blooms are also visited by evening-foraging bees and beetles. Because of its nighttime bloom cycle and prolific nectar production, Tall Evening Primrose supports a unique suite of insects not often served by daytime flowers, and contributes to increased biodiversity in pollinator gardens and riparian plantings.
 
This species prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soils but is also tolerant of seasonal dryness once established. It grows well in loam, sandy, or silty soils and can adapt to disturbed or degraded sites. Seeds require light and benefit from cold stratification for optimal germination, but can also be successful without treatment. Fall sowing is ideal, though early spring seeding is also effective.