Sundrops is a native, perennial, erect, day-flowering member of the evening primrose family. It is native to all parts of North Carolina except the high mountains, where although it is striking when seen along roadsides and in meadows, it never achieves the beauty possible under cultivation. It is also found in dry forests, glades, and rock outcrops. Populations from particular habitats have been recognized as distinct varieties, but only one, widespread and polymorphic species is recognized here. Sundrops prefer moderately fertile, dry, well-drained soil in full sun but will tolerate some shade. Good winter drainage is essential. It can spread quickly in ideal situations but isn't terribly aggressive. The yellow flowers are short-lived but they occur in a succession over a long period. In the south, the rosettes will be purplish-green throughout the winter. Use this plant in hot dry places such as wild gardens, rock gardens, erosion control on banks, meadows, native plant areas, or cottage gardens. This plant was selected as the 1989 NC Wildflower of the Year , a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 4 in. - 1 ft. 6 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Spreading
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen; Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Rosulate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate; Oblanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The basal leaves are 1-4 inches long, lanceolate to oblanceolate and evergreen in warmer winters areas. They may have a purplish-green color in winter. They have entire or slightly wavy margins and are moderate to densely hairy. Stem leaves are opposite and shorter, 3/4- 1.5 inches long, and narrow elliptical.
Fall color
Purple/Lavender
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
4-petaled bright yellow flowers are up to 2 inches across. Blooms April- August.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The seed capsule is shaped like a club at the top and tapers to a slender stalk. Fruits are available May-November.
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
The stem is reddish to green with hairs
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern North America
Distribution
AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , WV
Wildlife value
Hummingbirds nectar at the flowers and songbirds eat the seeds. Members of the genus Oenothera support the following specialized bees: Melissodes (Apomelissodes) fimbriatus and Lasioglossum (Sphecodogastra) oenotherae.