8 pink primroses to grow in the garden

Primula beesiana, a pink cowslip

With its crowns of pink flowers, towering above a rosette of elongated leaves, the primrose Primula beesiana is delightful. This botanical species is native to China and is part of the candelabra primroses. Its trumpet-shaped flowers are purplish-pink, with a golden yellow centre, giving it a charming pink “cuckoo” appearance.

The Primula beesiana blooms between May and July. Easy to grow, it prefers damp locations but can thrive in full sun or partial shade. Reaching a height of 60 cm, it looks wonderful near a water feature, alongside ferns and pink or white meadowsweets.

Primula beesiana

The 'Prom Deep Rose' primrose, with its lovely clusters of pink flowers.

The primrose Primula denticulata ‘Prom Deep Rose’ produces lovely dark pink flower balls with a subtle yellow eye from March to May. Floriferous and compact, it makes a striking impact in a rockery, a garden border, or in a planter. Native to Tibet, this variety thrives in semi-shaded conditions in cool, rich soil.

Reaching a height of 22 cm, it is adorned with elongated, spatulate, dentate, and deciduous leaves. It pairs well with hyacinths, tulips, daffodils, and snowdrops. You can also use it as a cut flower to enhance your bouquets.

Primula denticulata ‘Prom Deep Rose’ (photo Wikipedia)

The double primrose 'Belarina Candy Frost', for a romantic atmosphere

With its very double, pink flowers striated with white, the ‘Belarina Candy Frost’ primrose adds a romantic and elegant touch to the garden. It blooms very early, from January onwards, and its flowering continues until April. This plant is adorned at the base with round, lush foliage, crinkled and bright green, on which unusual double flowers flourish, highly prized in English gardens.

Measuring 15 cm in height, the double ‘Belarina Candy Frost’ primrose resembles small roses striated with pink and white. They can be paired with tulips, pansies, and forget-me-nots to create a romantic atmosphere.

Primula vulgaris ‘Belarina Candy Frost’

The primrose Primula elatior 'Violet Laced', striking and delightful

The primrose Primula elatior ‘Violet Laced’ offers an inspiring graphic effect with its small bicoloured violet-pink flowers edged in white with a yellow-orange centre. The flowers, with their small rounded petals, are arranged in collars of 4 to 6 supported by floral stems. Its bright colours contrast with the medium green of its lush, evergreen foliage. It flowers from April to July.

You can plant it in partial shade or in a gentle sunny spot. Graphic in appearance, it enlivens borders and happily mingles with heucheras, anemones, brunnera, pansies, and hostas.

Primula elatior ‘Violet Laced’ (photo Rudy Raes)

Japanese primrose 'Millers Crimson', the charm of delicacy

The Japanese primrose ‘Millers Crimson’ is a large plant, reaching 60 cm in height, that produces crowns of carmine pink flowers above pale green dentate foliage. It blooms from May to July. This candelabra primrose is a hardy perennial that thrives in moist, marshy soils.

Vigorous and hardy, it enjoys being by a water feature or stream. Plant it alongside bleeding hearts in pink and white, ferns, and hostas to create a delicate atmosphere.

Primula japonica Millers Crimson

The marsh primrose Primula vialii, for a spectacular effect

Very original, the marsh primrose Primula vialii is native to Asia. It is a tall primrose, reaching 40 cm in height, that resembles an orchid. Spectacular with its bicoloured pink and mauve flowering, it exudes a unique charm. Its flowers, shaped like conical spikes, measure 6 cm and appear in June and July.

It is a perennial plant, but demanding. Plant it in partial shade, in a moist location near a water source. It prefers humid, acidic, light, and humus-bearing soils. In winter, be careful not to overwater it. Create an original space near a pond and plant it alongside white or pink astilbes, bright pink or mauve dodecatheons, and Podophyllum.

Primula vialii

Primula pulverulenta, a highly decorative primrose

The Primula pulverulenta is a highly ornamental perennial native to China. Standing at 60 cm tall, this candelabra primrose produces umbels of tubular purple flowers that overlap on its flower stems. The flowering period extends from June to July. Its leaves are slender, deciduous, and display a bright green colour.

Rarely used in gardens, the Primula pulverulenta prefers to be planted at the edge of ponds or a marsh, as it loves damp soils. It pairs well with astilbes, ferns, or hostas.

Primula pulverulenta

The primrose Primula juliae 'Wanda', for beautiful carpet flowers.

The primrose Primula juliae ‘Wanda’ is a small perennial plant, reaching 10 cm in height, ideal for creating carpets of flowers and foliage. Between March and April, and sometimes even in July, the medium green, crinkled leaves are adorned with small, purplish-pink flowers with a golden centre. The foliage is semi-evergreen.

Hardy and vigorous, the primrose Primula juliae ‘Wanda’ is an old variety native to the Caucasus. Use it to carpet damp rockeries or borders in your garden.

Primula juliae ‘Wanda’

For further reading

• If you want to learn more about primroses, check out our comprehensive guide to their cultivation and discover our complete collection of primroses.
• To avoid any failures, we recommend planting appropriately; feel free to adopt our Plantfit web application!