Cowslip herb

This traditional herb is native to Northern and Central Europe. It has naturalized elsewhere on porous, calcareous soils, meadows and pastures, to an altitude of 2,000m (6,500ft). In America the plant that is called cowslip is in fact the English marsh marigold (Calthapalustris) and is not to be confused with the above. 'Cowslip' is a corruption of 'cowsslop' from the Old English 'cu-sloppe', from which cowslips sprang up in the meadow after a cow had lifted its tail. The generic name primula is from the Latin 'primus', meaning first, after its early flowering in spring. A legend of northern Europe is that St Peter let his keys to Heaven drop when he learned that a duplicate set had been made. Where they fell the cowslip grew, hence the English, French and German common names 'Keys of Heaven', 'Cleft de St Pierre' and 'Schlusselblumen'. The mediaeval Regimen Sanitatis Salernitanum-recommended the cowslip as a cure for palsy or paralysis, a cure suggested perhaps by the trembling of its nodding flowers? It is sadly no longer possible for country folk to go out and collect bushels of cowslip flowers to make cowslip wine. This once common grassland flower has now become relatively rare, a casualty of improved farming methods, which do not permit long grass and pastures to settle down and develop perennial flora. However, in East Anglia, where it retains the old alternative name 'paigale', it is beginning to re-establish itself on roadside verges and banked motorway edges in chalk and limestone areas, away from damaging pesticide sprays.

Species

Primula veris

Cowslip

Hardy perennial. Ht and spread 15-20cm (6-8in). Tight clusters of fragrant, tubular, yellow flowers produced on stout stems in spring. Leaves, oval-shaped and mid-green, form a neat clump. Cowslips are often mistaken for Oxlip (P. elatior), which is a hybrid of the cowslip and the primrose (P. vulgaris). The difference between the 2 is that oxlip has large pale yellow flowers in a one-sided cluster. Cowslip flowers are much deeper yellow, smaller and there are more in a cluster.

Cultivation

Propagation

Seed

Better sown fresh. Collect the seeds heads in early j autumn when the seeds are slightly succulent. Sow the fairly small seeds onto the surface of a prepared pot, seed or plug tray. Cover with glass. Put the container somewhere cool, like a cold frame, cold greenhouse or outside windowsill. Keep an X on germination, which usually takes 4-6 weeks, and remove glass as soon as the seedling emerges. If you sow in springtime, they will need cold then warm temperatures to break their dormancy - the frost treatment. Plant into final position in the garden when the young plants are large enough to handle, or pot up for a spring display.

Division

Being a primula, cowslips divide easily. The best time for doing this is in the autumn. Dig up a clump and tease the plants apart. Replant in situ 15cm (6in) apart or pot up. Protect from frost until the roots have come down (this takes 4-6 weeks).

Pests and Diseases

The scourge of all primula plants is the vine weevil. I have known them decimate a complete stock of cowslips in a very short time.

Maintenance

Spring: Early in year clear all the winter debris from established plains. Stratify seed if necessary and sow.

Summer: Only dead head if you do not want the seed.

Autumn: Collect seed. Divide established plants.

Winter: No need to protect.

Garden Cultivation

Plant cowslips in semi-shade or sun, in a moist but well-drained soil. They prefer lime soil, but do adapt well. They look better grown in clumps rather than on their own, and are ideal for front of border in a spring garden, or for growing in the lawn, although you will have to mow round them until the seeds have set.

Harvest

I am sure no reminder is necessary not to pick or dig up cowslips growing in the wild. This is prohibited in many European countries. Pick leaves as required to use fresh. Not really worth drying. Pick flowers as they open to use fresh. Dig up tools in the autumn for drying.

Container growing

Essentially a wild plant, the cowslip does not thrive inside, but is happy in a container on a windowsill or patio. Use the standard bark, peat compost, and do not allow drying out. I suggest that the container be in a position that gets some shade at midday.

Medicinal

A tea from the flowers is a simple remedy for insomnia, nervous tension and headaches. Cowslip syrup was a country remedies for palsy and paralysis, hence its alternative name 'Palsywort'. Cowslip roots are attributed with various medicinal propensities. One, owing to their high saponin content, is to treat whooping cough lo the salicylates present in the root, is to alleviate arthritis. For this reason, in many old herbals, cowslip roots are called radix arthritica.

Culinary

Use leaves in salads and for meat stuffing. Use flowers in cowslip wine and salads.