Help identify this flower!

[mjdodd1107]

Hi - I'm new to the forum. I've been lurking here for tips from time to time, but, I figured this would be a great resource to help me identify this flower that is growing in my yard. You'll see two pictures of it below as attachment.

I bought the house 2 years ago, and these have come back each year around this time, and I've given them no care, as I'm just getting into the gardening thing!

BTW, if it helps, I'm in NJ, zone 6B.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated


Matthew Dodd
Hamilton, NJ

[mickey]

I'm pretty sure it's a Bell Flower......
I had some a few years ago but we had a really cold winter one year & they died out....
At first I thought maybe they were a balloon flower, do they look like a balloon before they open?? If not, they're probably a bell flower....very nice!

[mjdodd1107]

mickey -

Thanks so much for a prompt response! Upon looking at some other bell flowers online, you nailed it!

Thanks again!

[Mo Plants]

Those beautiful shell pink flowers are the bell of the garden when they bloom in late spring or early summer.

Mexican Evening Primrose can be found in detail here with more pix

http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_4e82.html

Unfortunately the rest of the year the plants themselves are rather unappealing and spread quickly, particularly in sandy soils. They are a lovely drought resistant perennial for dry gardens that doesn't look dry.

[Newt]

Hi Matthew,

I agree with Mo Plants. It's Oenothera speciosa. Cut them back by half after bloom and you may get a second set of flowers. They often look best in large drifts and can be very invasive.
http://www.missouriplants.com/Pinkal...iosa_page.html

Newt