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Re: Moonflower?

> A friend's father gave me a load of plants he called Moonflowers to add to
> my new garden.  However, I'm a bit confused about the name.  I bought a
> couple of plants at the nursery this spring also called moonflowers (I
> believe they are the white version of annual Morning Glory vines - only
> blooming at night)  These newly acquired plants are perennials, look like
> big dandelions and have yellow flowers that only bloom at night.  Does
> anyone know what they are?

Liane,

I think these could be evening primroses (oenothera).  There are 
several different species - some have blossoms that open at 
night and some during the day (also called sundrops).  I almost
bought some recently, they had such large lovely flowers, but
I was traveling by plane I had to restrain my self.

Some info from Michigan State University -

  Oenothera--Evening Primrose, Sundrops
  
       Most   oenothera  produce  yellow   flowers.    Evening
  primroses  are night bloomers and sundrops bloom during  the
  day.   The  plants  grow one to two feet  tall,  or  taller,
  depending  on  the type grown.  They are quite  vigorous  so
  need frequent dividing.  Some species may self seed so as to
  become  weeds.   The plants are easy to grow but  may  bloom
  poorly  the  first year after planting.  The  best  soil  is
  moderately  rich and well drained.  The best light  exposure
  is sunny.
  
       Oenothera  may  be divided in early spring  or  in  the
  fall.   The  seed  germinates in 1 to 3 weeks at  68  to  86
  degrees.  Cuttings taken in May can be rooted in sand.
  
       Oenothera missouriensis--Missouri Primrose
       Missouri  primrose has a trailing habit so  only  grows
  one foot tall.  The large, yellow flowers  are  produced  in
  July.   The plant starts growth late in the spring.
  
       Oenothera speciosa
       This  is a plant about 2 feet tall with  white  flowers
  changing to pink.
  
       Oenothera tetrogona--Common Sundrop
       This  plant,  listed in some references as  O.  youngii
  grows  2  feet tall. The yellow flowers are one and  a  half
  inches across.

Marianne

---------------------------------
Marianne Hoppe                           
Montana State University-Northern
Havre, Montana  (USDA Zone 3a)
hoppe@msun.nmclites.edu              
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