Primrose herb and Primrose species
This herald of spring is a native of Europe. The name Primrose originates from the old Latin 'prima',
meaning first, and 'rosa', meaning rose. The polyanthus, which has been known in gardens since the
17th century, probably originates from crosses between colored forms of the
Primrose and the Cowslip. In the middle Ages concoctions were made from primroses
which were used as a remedy for gout and rheumatism. The flowers were used in
the preparation of love potions. An infusion of the roots was taken for nervous
headaches. The plant has become increasingly rare, in part due to the
changing countryside. Legislation makes it illegal now to pick or dig up any
wild plant and, with more sympathetic farming practices, one can see these
plants beginning to re-establish in the hedgerows.
Cultivation
Propagation
Seed
In summer sow the fresh seed when it is still slightly green
and before it turns darkish brown and becomes dry. Sow in a prepared seed or
plug tray and cover with Perlite. These fresh seeds usually germinate in a few
weeks. Either winter in the plug trays, or prick out from seed trays when the
seedlings are large enough and winter in pots for planting out into a prepared
site the following spring. The seed that one gets in seed packets should be sown in the
autumn or early winter. Do not sow it directly into the ground where it can
easily be lost. Water the seeds in; do not cover with compost, but cover with
glass or polythene. To help the seeds germinate, leave the trays outside for
the winter so that the seeds get the frost (stratification). Sometimes they
take 2 years to germinate from the dry state, so leave the seed trays until the
following year if nothing appears in the spring, checking the compost
occasionally to make sure it does not dry out. When the seedlings are large
enough, plant out in a prepared site in the garden 15cm (6in) apart.
Species
Primula vulgaris
Primrose
Hardy perennial. Ht and spread 15cm (6in).The fresh yellow,
sweetly scented] flowers with darker yellow centers are borne singly on hairy
stems in early spring Leaves are mid-green and wrinkled.
Division
Established clumps (from your own or friends' gardens, not
from the wild) can be divided very easily in the autumn.
Pests and Diseases
The only major pest to attack the primrose is the vine
weevil. Pollinated primrose flowers produce Kicky seeds dial attract ants; they
then disperse them (round the garden, which is why you sometimes see plants
where you least 'expect them.
Maintenance
Spring: Plant out
voting plants.
Summer: Sow fresh
seed.
Autumn: Divide
established plants.
Winter: Sow dry
seed that needs stratification. No need to protect plants, fully hardy.
Garden cultivation
Mien planting primroses bear in mind that their natural
habitat is in hedgerows and under deciduous trees and that therefore they
prefer a moist soil, and will tolerate heavy1 soils, in semi-shade. Planted in
a very well-sheltered site, they often open early in spring. If you are growing primroses in a wild garden make sure you
do not cut the grass until mid-summer when the plants will have seeded
themselves.
Harvest
Pick flowers for fresh use any lime. Pick young leaves to
use fresh. In summer collect seed for immediate sowing.
Container growing
Primroses can be grown in containers and look very
attractive and heartening especially if spring is damp and miserable. Use a
soil based compost. Keep the plant well watered and feed only occasionally with
liquid fertilizer, once in the spring after flowering is sufficient. This is
primarily a wild plant and does not benefit from over feeding.
Medicinal
Its medicinal use is really in the past, though it is still
used occasionally as an expectorant for the treatment of bronchitis. A tisane,
which is a mild sedative and good for anxiety and insomnia, can be made from
the leaves and flowers.
Culinary
The flowers are lovely in green salads, and they can be
crystallized to decorate puddings and cakes. The voting leaves make an interesting vegetable if steamed
and tossed in butter. |
