Primula vulgaris (Native Primrose, English Primrose or Common Primrose)
Michael's Opinion
This is a plant than one should not be without, this may be partly due to my biased Cornish heritage where this plant was found along the hedgrows where I spent my childhood in Cornwall or because it is just such a solid performer. It is a tough, resilient plant that given a little moisture in our summer droughts will flourish in the garden for years to come.
Botanical Information
Family | Primulaceae |
Genus | Primula |
Species | vulgaris |
Category | Perennials, Wildflowers & Weeds |
Origin | From Britain, southern Norway, and northern Spain to north Africa, Lebanon, Iran, and the Caucasus. |
Details
USDA Hardiness Zone | 1a - 6a |
USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
Canadian Hardiness Zone | 0a - 6b |
Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
RHS Hardiness Zone | H7 |
RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
Temperature (°C) | -51 - (-21) |
Temperature (°F) | -5 - 5 |
Height | 15 cm |
Spread | 30-45 cm |
Growth | Medium |
Flowering Period | April, May |
Description and Growing Information
General Description | Rosette forming herbaceous perennial. |
ID Characteristic | Tongue-shaped leaves with multiple small yellow flowers. |
Shape | Rounded. |
Landscape | Low maintenance banks and informal wildflower gardens. |
Propagation | Easily by early spring crown divisions. |
Cultivation | Favours a sheltered position in sun or partial shade. Grows well in moist soil heavy in clay. |
Pests | Grey mould. |
Notable Specimens | Caerhays Castle, Goran, Cornwall, United Kingdom. Carn Galver, Zennor, Cornwall, United Kingdom. St Agnes Head, Cornwall, United Kingdom. |
Habitat | Deciduous woodlands, banks, hedges and shaded grasslands. |