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Primula veris Seeds - Cowslip

Primula veris
Cowslip Primrose, Woodland Cowslip, Common Cowslip

3,0/5
2 reviews
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2 reviews

Received on time and in good condition. Now I just need to sow them, get them to sprout and grow them this summer. To plant them in the autumn... I hadn't taken into account this detail: 150 young plants to plant. I won't be bored this autumn! ;=)

Eric S., 23/04/2019

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This plant carries a 6 months recovery warranty

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A plant native to our meadows and open woodlands, this botanical species blooms in April, in small dangling clusters of finely scented, deep yellow flowers. It is found in areas with chalky soils, on slopes, roadsides and in meadows. It is a very undemanding plant that accepts poor, stony soils that dry in summer and that naturalizes easily in the garden. It is a carefree plant, ideal for natural gardens and partially shaded rock gardens. Cowslip also finds its place in physic gardens or in brighter, open undergrowth.
Flower size
3 cm
Height at maturity
30 cm
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Annual / Perennial
Perennial
Germination time (days)
15 days
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Sowing period February to April
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Flowering time April to May
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Description

Primula veris more commonly known as cowslip, also carries the name Common Cowslip or Cowslip Primrose. This botanical species native to our meadows and open woodlands, blooms in April, in small dangling clusters of finely scented, deep yellow tubular flowers. It is found in areas with chalky soils, on slopes, roadsides and in meadows. It is a very undemanding plant that accepts poor, stony soils that dry in summer and that naturalizes easily in the garden. It is a carefree plant, ideal for natural gardens and partially shaded rock gardens. It also finds its place in physic gardens or in brighter, open undergrowth. 

Belonging to the primulaceae family, Primula veris is probably the wild primrose we know best. It is found along roadsides and in woodland edges in many regions of France, but is rarer in the Mediterranean and western parts of France. It can be found from Eastern to Western Europe, but also in Iran, Turkey, and as far as the North-east of Mongolia. The common Cowslip is most noticeable in Spring, in May when its flowers appears because the rest of the year it displays a low-lying, leafy rosette that blends into its environment. This plant develops flower stems measuring 20 to 30 cm in height whose tips bear clusters of delicately scented, deep yellow tubular flowers. The calyces and corollas are fused together, featuring petals with orange markings at their base. This primrose produces two types of flowers, all hermaphrodite. On some plants, the pistil protrudes beyond the seed which prevents self-pollination. Other plants have flowers with stamens that are longer than the pistil. The delay in the maturation of the reproductive organs forces the plant to reproduce by cross-pollination. It is worth noting that the flowers produce a very fragrant nectar, much appreciated by pollinating insects. The semi-evergreen basal rosette is made up of elongated, simple, crinkly, oval leaves of a very fresh light green hue and that are very similar to those of the common primrose. Their upper side is slightly glandular while their under side is fuzzy and greyish.

 

Primula officinalis is versatile and easy to grow. It deserves to be in every garden. Colourful, abundantly flowering and fragrant, it combines well with all spring blooms. In borders of flowerbeds or in window boxes on a balcony, these plants are ideal companions for tulips and forget-me-nots. It is ideal in borders, low-lying beds under the cover of broad-leaved trees, in rock gardens and in lawns, planted among snowdrops and violets. The leaves and flowers are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked.

Benefits:

These are identical to those of common primrose and oxlip: the flowers are soothing and calming and are used as an expectorant. The leaves are used to help heal bruises and the whole plant (especially the root) has analgesic, antispasmodic, diuretic and expectorant properties.

 

 

 

Flowering

Flower colour yellow
Flowering time April to May
Inflorescence Umbel
Flower size 3 cm
Fragrance slightly scented, fleuri, un peu anisé
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Semi-evergreen
Foliage colour green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 30 cm
Spread at maturity 30 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Primula

Species

veris

Family

Primulaceae

Other common names

Cowslip Primrose, Woodland Cowslip, Common Cowslip

Origin

Northern Europe

Product reference13071

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Planting and care

Sow at the end of winter in a special seed starting mix. Place the seeds on the surface of the soil. Seal within a transparent plastic bag and cover with a plate of glass. Place in a partially shaded but bright spot, as light promotes germination. Keep the soil moist but not wet. Germination usually takes 10-15 days at 15-18 °C. Higher temperatures can inhibit germination.
 
Transplant the seedlings into 7.5 cm diameter pots. Grow them in a cool, moist environment and then transplant them into the ground outside, taking care to leave 23 cm between each plant.
 
Sowing directly outdoors also works very well. Sow in a sunny position, on well-prepared, weed-free soil. Germination is easy and the seedlings are easily recognized by their small, wrinkled leaves that lie flat on the ground.

Cowslip sown in spring will produce plants that will flower the following spring. Sown in August, the plants produced can sometimes flower in spring, but they will be smaller. The primrose plants will fill out over time. These plants benefit from being planted in groups and reseed spontaneously without becoming invasive.

Growing outdoors:

Plant primroses in the morning sun or in partial shade, in well-drained but fertile, humus-rich soil. These plants do not fare well in soil that dries in summer or soil that is waterlogged in winter. Water well in the weeks following transplanting, especially in dry weather, to ensure their recovery. Regular watering in the summer will also be necessary in case of extreme heat and drought. These easy-to-grow plants will not need any special care apart from the removal of wilted flowers and leaves.

Growing in pots:

Remember to improve drainage at the bottom of the container by putting a layer of gravel, shards of earthen pots, or clay pebbles to facilitate the evacuation of water and avoid asphyxiation of the roots. A mixture of leaf compost and garden soil will do the job just fine.

Place the pot in partial shade or in the sun and water regularly to keep the soil always slightly moist to sustain flowering. Every two week, add a little fertilizer for flowering plants to the irrigation water and remove faded flowers to extend the flowering period.

16
14,50 € Each

Sowing period

Sowing period February to April
Germination time (days) 15 days

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery, Woodland edge, Undergrowth
Type of use Border, Edge of border, Container, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, Drainant, plutôt argileux
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