World Plants

Primula vulgaris (Native Primrose, English Primrose or Common Primrose)

Michael's Opinion

This is a plant that one should not be without. This may be partly due to my biased Cornish heritage, where this plant was found along the hedgerows where I pent 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 it 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, Gorran, Cornwall, United Kingdom. Carn Galver, Zennor, Cornwall, United Kingdom. St Agnes Head, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Habitat	Deciduous woodlands, banks, hedges and shaded grasslands.