Trumpet Evening Primrose
Oenothera jamesii
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
Trumpet Evening Primrose (Oenothera jamesii) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
48"–72" H × 24"–36" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Native to
KS, OK, TX
Pollinators
butterflies, bees, moths, nectar insects
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 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Trumpet Evening Primrose.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Trumpet Evening Primrose is a tall biennial wildflower that produces large, bright yellow trumpet-shaped blooms from summer through fall. This native Texas plant grows 4-6 feet tall with a relatively narrow spread, creating an upright presence in the garden. The flowers open in the evening and attract night-flying pollinators, though they often remain open into the morning hours.
In an HOA neighborhood
Trumpet Evening Primrose takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Height exceeds typical HOA-friendly range
Wildlife value
This plant is excellent for supporting night-flying moths and other nocturnal pollinators with its evening-blooming flowers. During daytime hours, bees, butterflies, and other nectar-seeking insects also visit the blooms.
Common questions
- How much sun does Trumpet Evening Primrose need?
- Trumpet Evening Primrose grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Trumpet Evening Primrose bloom?
- Trumpet Evening Primrose blooms in June, July, August, September, October, and November.
- Where is Trumpet Evening Primrose native?
- Trumpet Evening Primrose (Oenothera jamesii) is native to KS, OK, TX, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Trumpet Evening Primrose attract?
- Trumpet Evening Primrose draws butterflies, bees, moths, and nectar insects.
- Is Trumpet Evening Primrose HOA-friendly?
- Trumpet Evening Primrose takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Trumpet Evening Primrose? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.