Missouri Primrose
Oenothera macrocarpa
Last reviewed: July 2026
Missouri Primrose is a native wildflower of the Great Plains and Midwest that produces bright yellow blooms from March through August. This drought-tolerant perennial thrives in full sun and attracts bees, moths, and hummingbirds.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
6"–12" H × 12"–18" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AR, IL, KS, MO and 3 more states
Pollinators
bees, moths, hummingbirds
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 411 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Missouri Primrose is a low-growing wildflower that produces large, bright yellow blooms from spring through summer. This drought-tolerant perennial forms a spreading mat and works well as a groundcover or in rock gardens. The plant goes dormant in winter, disappearing completely until spring growth returns.
Growing Missouri Primrose
Grow Missouri Primrose in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 6 to 12 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Missouri Primrose is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 2 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
Wildlife value
The large yellow flowers attract bees, moths, and occasionally hummingbirds throughout the long blooming season. This native plant provides nectar from spring through late summer.
Common questions
- When does Missouri Primrose bloom?
- Missouri Primrose blooms from March through August, producing large yellow flowers that open in the evening.
- What pollinators visit Missouri Primrose?
- Missouri Primrose attracts bees, moths, and hummingbirds. The large evening-opening flowers are particularly attractive to sphinx moths.
- Where is Missouri Primrose native?
- Missouri Primrose is native to Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas in the south-central United States.
- What growing conditions does Missouri Primrose prefer?
- Missouri Primrose thrives in full sun with low to moderate water requirements, making it an excellent choice for drought-tolerant gardens and prairie restorations.
- Is Missouri Primrose HOA-friendly?
- Missouri Primrose is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
See Missouri Primrose in a real native yard
Missouri Primrose is one of the natives used in these Patch Vision yard designs. Tap any one to see the before and after.
The after image is a Patch Vision preview. It replants the real yard photo with native plants chosen to fit that yard's ecoregion, sun, and HOA strictness.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Missouri Primrose? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz