Nothing is quite so cheering about the English spring as the Primrose, Primula vulgaris. And nothing is quite so depressing as the sight of bright yellow, pink and red cultivars bringing ‘spring colour’ to miserable-looking beds. These gaudy flowers are the wrong colour for spring: wrong in fact, for any season. Please don’t grow them. There is no need: the Common Primrose is far more beautiful, and though it doesn’t scream for attention from ten miles off, it does bring true spring colour.
Vital stats:
Location:
Moist, preferably acidic
Light:
Partial shade
When to plant:
Sow seeds in March
What can I expect from this plant?
Height: 6in
Spread: 12in
Flowers: April – May
It is illegal to gather plants or seeds from the wild.
I couldn’t agree more – but don’t forget the scent as well. Heavenly.
Your photograph is beautiful, but the primrose is much whiter than I see in the wild here in Cornwall: http://www.stephanieboon.co.uk/narrativeself/index.php/2009/03/perfect-primrose/. I agree with Catherine – the scent is totally heavenly!