Buy Primula veris

Also Known As

Primula officinalis
Primula veris 'English Cowslip'
Cowslip Primrose
English Cowslip
English Cowslip Primrose

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 8"-12"
W: 10"-12"

planting zones

4a-10b

3 inch pot | $14

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Fewer than 20 at Secret Garden Growers

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Primula veris plant details

Primula veris is a broadleaf evergreen or semi-evergreen perennial with green foliage. In spring yellow flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Attracts bees and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with mostly sun - shade and even moisture - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Primula veris

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: primulaceae
Foliage: evergreen or semi-evergreen green
Mature size: 10 IN - 12 IN - wide, 8 IN - 12 IN - tall
Flowers: yellow blooms in spring
Uses: easy-to-grow, edging plant, edible, fragrant, heirloom, native plant, spreading, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Primula veris

USDA Zones: 4a - 10b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - low
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

avail 4/1 Precious heirloom primrose from the English countryside! Fragrant, bright yellow flowers April to June nod on 8-10" stems. Happy in morning sun to moderate shade, most soils with adequate moisture. Easy, dependable. Will create a delightful litt

By: Secret Garden Growers

English Cowslip - a creamy yellow bloom in early spring.

By: Hoot Owl Hollow Nursery

A widespread European species preferring slightly drier sites than P. elatior, flowers are yellow in the wild form and unlike elatior sweetly scented, long-lived and indestructible in the garden, eventually forming bushel basket sized clumps

By: Arrowhead Alpines

The wild species from England, with trusses of nodding yellow flowers in April or May. The flowers are relatively small yet numerous, and manage to show up well from afar in the landscape. It frequently self-sows. 8-12" tall. Introduced to America in the 18th century. Culture: Grow in light shade and a fertile well-watered soil. In cool climates, full sun is acceptable if the soil is moist. If too hot and dry, the plants will yellow and go dormant over summer, but usually leaf out again in fall. Best suited to northern climates, it could well be difficult for southern and western gardeners to keep them happy. Propagate by division after flowering.

By: Summersweet Gardens at Perennial Pleasures

Elizabeth Lawrence advocated their use in edging a bed of early daffodils! Fragrant tiny nodding yellow flowers bloom in early spring. A much-loved English wildflower which was once gathered by the armful to make wine. Cowslip petals in sugar were recommended as an excellent and refreshing salad. It spreads to form large cheerful-looking clumps. Listed in an 1827 seed catalog.

By: Select Seeds

Look through almost any vintage tome on herbalism or cottage gardening & you’ll find this plant. Try to find one at your local nursery, though? Good luck! Tougher than its boinky bedding compatriots & with more grace, as well as a plethora of herbal & edible uses, it has an interesting history in folklore (look it up!). Common throughout Europe & found along roadsides & in meadows, it’s one of the most long-lived Primroses for our area & gives us a pretty spot of color thru Spring. Fragrant yellow flowers nod atop 8-10” stems, rising from fresh, green rosettes to 1' wide. In low water situations, the plant will go dormant during the Summer. You know what that means - DRY SHADE! Hurrah!