Oenothera speciosa (pinkladies)

Japanese name: ヒルザキツキミソウ（広義） （昼咲月見草）
Scientific name: Oenothera speciosa

[Overview]
A perennial 30–60 cm tall, found in its native range in rocky grassland, along roadsides, in pastures and similar places.
It spreads by sending out runners.
The whole plant has short white hairs.
The stem branches well.
There are basal leaves and leaves alternate on the stem, oblanceolate to elliptic, with wavy or toothed serrations on the margin.
The flowers are borne in a raceme at the stem tip and are white to pale pink, 4-petaled, about 2.5–6 cm across.
The flowers open before dawn and remain without withering during the day.
The stigma of the pistil is cross-shaped.
The fruit is a club-shaped capsule with 8 ridges.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed, by division, or by shoot cuttings.
It dislikes being transplanted, so sow directly where it will grow, or sow in pots and transplant while the seedlings are young.
It prefers sunny, well-drained soil.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient unless summer brings a long sunny spell and the soil becomes severely dry.
Too much fertilizer produces only leaves, so use it sparingly; for potted plants, in addition to base fertilizer, place a small amount of slow-release fertilizer on the soil in spring.
Plants in the ground need no particular fertilizing.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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