Beginner
skill rating
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Primula vulgaris (Primrose)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.2m
Max height
Max height
0.35m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Primula vulgaris
Other names
Primrose, Culver keys, Native primrose, Wild primrose
Genus
Primula Primula
Species
P. vulgaris - P. vulgaris is a pretty perennial plant forming rounded leaves and pale yellow flowers in early spring.
Primula vulgaris is: Semi evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers are fragrant.
Habit
Clump-forming, Rosette
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Pale-yellow in Spring
Foliage
Bright-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Glasshouse red spider mite , Leaf and bud eelworms , Leaf-mining sawflies , Slugs , Vine weevil Aphids , Glasshouse red spider mite , Leaf and bud eelworms , Leaf-mining sawflies , Slugs , Vine weevil
Grey mould , Leaf spot Grey mould , Leaf spot
General care
Propagation methods
Basal cuttings, Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Primula vulgaris (Primrose) will reach a height of 0.2m and a spread of 0.35m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Banks and Slopes, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Rock, Wildflower, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in moist, free-draining, humus-rich soil in partial shade. Tolerates full sun if soil is kept consistently moist.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Primula vulgaris
Other names
Primrose, Culver keys, Native primrose, Wild primrose
Genus
Primula Primula
Species
P. vulgaris - P. vulgaris is a pretty perennial plant forming rounded leaves and pale yellow flowers in early spring.
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers are fragrant.
Habit
Clump-forming, Rosette
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Pale-yellow in Spring
Foliage
Bright-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Glasshouse red spider mite , Leaf and bud eelworms , Leaf-mining sawflies , Slugs , Vine weevil
Specific diseases
General care
Propagation methods
Basal cuttings, Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Primula vulgaris (Primrose) will reach a height of 0.2m and a spread of 0.35m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Banks and Slopes, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Rock, Wildflower, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in moist, free-draining, humus-rich soil in partial shade. Tolerates full sun if soil is kept consistently moist.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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Primula vulgaris
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