Oenothera 'Cold Crick'

Cold Crick Evening Primrose

Oenothera × hybrida ‘Cold Crick’
Cold Crick Evening Primrose / Cold Crick Sundrops

Oenothera × hybrida ‘Cold Crick’ is a compact herbaceous perennial with dense, narrow green foliage, reddish stems, and abundant bright yellow, four-petaled flowers in late spring to early summer. It forms a low, clump-forming mound rather than running aggressively, and its foliage may turn red-orange to red in fall. U.S. Perennials describes it as a sterile hybrid with Oenothera fruticosa parentage that blooms for 6 or more weeks and does not self-seed.

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Mature Size: 12–18 in. wide × 10–12 in. tall
USDA Zones: 5a–8b
Form: Low, compact, clump-forming mound
Light: Full sun; light part shade tolerated
Soil / Water: Average to sandy or clay, well-drained soil; low to moderate water once established; drought tolerant
Bloom Time / Length: Late spring to early summer; often 6+ weeks
Wildlife: Flowers attract bees, butterflies, moths, and other pollinating insects; deer usually avoid it.

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for sunny borders, edging, rock gardens, cottage gardens, containers, dry slopes, mass plantings, and pollinator gardens. ‘Cold Crick’ is especially useful where you want the cheerful yellow flowers of sundrops without the heavy self-seeding or spreading habit of some evening primroses. Heritage Perennials lists it for borders, containers, edging, massing, and notes deer resistance and drought tolerance.

Care:
Plant in well-drained soil and avoid wet winter conditions. Water regularly during establishment, then only as needed during dry spells. Shear or trim after the first heavy bloom to encourage fresh growth and possible rebloom. Cut back old stems in late fall or early spring. Avoid overly rich, wet soil, which can reduce compactness and cause crown/root problems.

Plant type

Perennial

Height

10-12"

Width

12-18"

Hardiness zones

5–8

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Early Summer, Late Spring

Flower color

Yellow

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Green

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies

Soil

Highly Adaptable, Moist well-drained

Landscape use

Border, Container, Erosion control slopes, Mass Planting, Rock Garden

Shape

Clump, Low Mounding

Fruit

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No