Oenothera missouriensis "Ozark Sundrop"

Maybe this tough drought tolerant beautiful long blooming and reliable perennial is common in its native Midwest, but we are thrilled to grow it out here in California! Its huge 4” silky lemon yellow flowers are held upright above the dense linear foliage from May thru August here, especially when deadheaded. Highly adaptable, drought tolerant and heat tolerant, it thrives in hotter deserty areas, as well as our foggy coastal zone. Some folks say it spreads a lot, but that's certainly not true here in USDA zone 10. Besides, I cut it back severely after it's done blooming, so it probably doesn't get the chance. To 1' tall and 2' across, it's a perfect showy addition to a well-drained rock garden, parking strip or even a container sidedress with compost for a fabulous show.