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skill rating
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Primula veris (Cowslip)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.2m
Max height
Max height
0.2m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Primula veris
Other names
Cowslip, Palsywort, Bedlam cowslip, fairy cup, Galligaskins, Gaskins, Herb Peter, Key flower, Keywort, Lady's bunch of keys, Lady's candlestick, Lady's keys, Lady's seal, Luck flower, Paggles, Paigle, Paiglewort, Paralysis, Petty mullein, Primerole, Primet, St Peter's wort , Primula macrocalyx, Primula montana
Genus
Primula Primula
Species
P. veris - P. veris is a low growing herbaceous perennial plant forming a rosette of leaves and deep yellow flowers in the spring.
Primula veris is: Semi evergreen
Fragrance
Sweetly fragrant
Habit
Clump-forming
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Yellow in Spring
Foliage
Green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Glasshouse red spider mite , Leaf and bud eelworms , Slugs , Vine weevil Aphids , Glasshouse red spider mite , Leaf and bud eelworms , Slugs , Vine weevil
Grey mould , Leaf spot Grey mould , Leaf spot
General care
Pruning
Deadhead if desired to avoid self-seeding.
Propagation methods
Basal cuttings, Seed
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Where to grow
Primula veris (Cowslip) will reach a height of 0.2m and a spread of 0.2m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Meadow, Rock, Wildflower, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
Grows best in a sheltered site in sun or partial shade.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Primula veris
Other names
Cowslip, Palsywort, Bedlam cowslip, fairy cup, Galligaskins, Gaskins, Herb Peter, Key flower, Keywort, Lady's bunch of keys, Lady's candlestick, Lady's keys, Lady's seal, Luck flower, Paggles, Paigle, Paiglewort, Paralysis, Petty mullein, Primerole, Primet, St Peter's wort , Primula macrocalyx, Primula montana
Genus
Primula Primula
Species
P. veris - P. veris is a low growing herbaceous perennial plant forming a rosette of leaves and deep yellow flowers in the spring.
Native to
Europe, Western Asia
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Fragrance
Sweetly fragrant
Habit
Clump-forming
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Yellow in Spring
Foliage
Green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Glasshouse red spider mite , Leaf and bud eelworms , Slugs , Vine weevil
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Deadhead if desired to avoid self-seeding.
Propagation methods
Basal cuttings, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Primula veris (Cowslip) will reach a height of 0.2m and a spread of 0.2m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Meadow, Rock, Wildflower, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
Grows best in a sheltered site in sun or partial shade.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Primula veris (Cowslip)
Common pest name
Scientific pest name
Plantago asiatica mosaic virus
Type
Virus or Viroid
Current status in UK
Unknown
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
5
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Pest risk analysis suggested potential economic impacts would be small; and management by industry would be appropriate. Industry may wish to monitor for the presence of the pest and the Dutch industry certification scheme is of added benefit to the UK.
Defra's Risk register #2
Plant name
Primula veris (Cowslip)
Common pest name
Necrotic spot
Scientific pest name
Impatiens necrotic spot virus
Type
Virus or Viroid
Current status in UK
Present (Widespread)
Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Pest of mainly ornamentals and vegetables; present in the UK; and covered by the EU listing of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus. To be kept under consideration in light of a review of the EU listing.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
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| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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Dividing Primulas in Autumn
Primula veris
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