Primrose (Primula spp. )
Primrose perennials should be planted in lightly shaded areas with well-drained soil, preferably amended with organic matter. Set primrose plants about 6 to 12 inches (15-30 cm.) apart and 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm.) deep. Water thoroughly after planting. Add a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture. Continue to give your primroses thorough watering throughout the summer months, about once a week or more during periods of drought, but let off once fall approaches.
Growing Primrose – Primrose Plants In Your Garden
Primrose flowers (Primula polyantha) bloom in early spring, offering a variety of form, size, and color. They are suitable for use in garden beds and borders as well as in containers, or for naturalizing areas of the lawn. In fact, when given the proper growing conditions, these vigorous plants will multiply each year, adding stunning colors to the landscape.
Blooming often lasts throughout summer and in some areas, they will continue to delight the fall season with their outstanding colors. Most primrose flowers seen in gardens are Polyanthus hybrids, which range in color from white, cream and yellow to orange, red and pink. There are also purple and blue primrose flowers. These perennial plants prefer damp, woodland-like conditions.
Growing Primrose Plants
Growing primrose is easy, as these plants are quite hardy and adaptable. You can find primrose perennials at most garden centers and nurseries. Look for primroses that are healthy in appearance, preferably with unopened buds.
Primroses can also be grown from seeds with an equal mixture of soil, sand and peat moss. This can be done indoors or out depending on the time of year and the climate in your area. Generally, seeds are sown indoors (outdoors in cold frames) during winter. Once seedlings have obtained their second or third leaves, they can be transplanted into the garden.
Cuttings can also be taken from some varieties during summer.
Primrose Care
Primrose perennials should be planted in lightly shaded areas with well-drained soil, preferably amended with organic matter. Set primrose plants about 6 to 12 inches (15-30 cm.) apart and 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm.) deep. Water thoroughly after planting. Add a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture. Continue to give your primroses thorough watering throughout the summer months, about once a week or more during periods of drought, but let off once fall approaches.
The primrose flower also appreciates light applications of organic fertilizer throughout the growing season. Keep primrose plants looking their best with regular pruning of dead leaves and spent blooms. If you want to collect the seeds of your primroses, wait until late summer or early fall before taking them. Store them in a cool, dry place until the following planting season or sow them in a cold frame.
Problems with Primrose Perennials
Slugs and snails are common pests affecting primrose plants. These can be controlled with non-toxic slug bait placed around the garden. Spider mites and aphids may also attack primroses but can be sprayed with soapy water.
If primrose plants are not getting enough drainage, they may also be prone to crown rot and root rot. This can be easily fixed by amending the soil with compost or relocating the plants to a well-drained site.
Too much moisture can also make the primrose flower susceptible to fungal infections. This can often be prevented by using good watering habits and adequate spacing between plants.
Growing primroses is easy when given the proper growing conditions and following primrose care guidelines.
Primrose (Primula spp.)
Primroses are shining stars in the early-spring garden. These cool-loving flowers offer candy-colored blooms that shine in partly shaded gardens. There’s a wide range of varieties available, with blooms in just about any color, including blue, purple, pink, red, white, orange, and yellow. Bicolored varieties and types with double, rose-like flowers are also available.
Relatively low-growing plants, primroses thrive in the front of the border, as en edging plant, or in container gardens. The key to enjoying primrose is that it likes cool weather — when temperatures stay under 80F. Once summer comes, the plants sulk and can go dormant, so be sure to plant them with heat-loving shade flowers so you don’t end up with empty spaces in the garden. Primroses are hardy in Zones 3-8.
Primrose Growing Instructions
Grow primroses in a spot that has moist, well-drained soil that’s rich in organic matter. Like many spring-blooming flowers, they don’t hold up to drought well, so be sure to keep primroses well watered. If you have soil that has lots of sand or clay in it, add compost before planting to help give the plants a boost.
Primroses can tolerate full sun in cool temperatures, but the warmer it gets, the more they like part shade. This makes them ideal for planting under deciduous trees such as maples; the trees provide welcome shade as they leaf out when it starts to get warm outside.
If you wish to fertilize primroses, do so in early spring just before or as they bloom. Fertilizing is not necessary once temperatures warm over 80F or so in spring. If you do fertilize, use a general-purpose garden fertilizer and follow the directions on the packaging.
- Water Medium water needs
- Light Outside: Part sun
- Colors Blue Green Orange Pink Purple Red Variegated White Yellow
- Special Features Deer/rabbit resistant
Complement your Primrose
Ajuga
Primroses grow well with ajuga — the blooms complement each other beautifully, and the ajuga continues to look good as the primrose dies back.
Phlox, Woodland
Primrose and woodland phlox are wonderful spring partners — both produce colorful blooms, and the woodland phlox adds texture once the primrose goes dormant in summer.
Our favorite varieties
Crescendo Yellow Primrose
Primula ‘Crescendo Yellow’
Crescendo Yellow offers charming double yellow flowers on compact plants that grow 6 inches tall and wide. Zones 4-7
Crescendo Blue Primrose
Primula ‘Crescendo Blue’
Crescendo Blue is perfect for early spring gardens! You’ll love its adorable blue flowers. It grows 6 inches tall and wide. Zones 4-7
Crescendo Pink Primrose
Primula ‘Crescendo Pink’
A delightful cool-season annual or perennial, Crescendo Pink offers bold, eye-catching color first thing in the season. It’s perfect with spring bulbs. Crescendo Pink grows 6 inches tall and wide. Zones 4-7
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