- Botanical name: Primula veris
- Common name: Cowslip
- Family: Primulaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial, Evergreen
Yellow
Green
- Key features:
- Flowers
- Prefers rich soil
- Succeeds on poor soil
- Attractive to wildlife
Primula veris
The cowslip, Primula veris, is one of the most striking native primula species. It has fresh green rosettes of crinkly oval leaves from which several flower stems are produced, each crowned by a one-sided cluster of long, funnel-shaped blooms, rich yellow and sweetly fragrant. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Grow Primula veris in moist soil in partial shade. It’s best grown in groups, especially if naturalised in grass, such as around the edge of a pond. Let plants self-seed after flowering, and mulch annually with well-rotted manure or compost.
How to grow Primula veris
-
Plant size
25cm height
25cm spread
-
Aspect
North facing, east facing, south facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Front
- Sun exposure: Full sun, dappled shade, partial shade
- Shade type: Damp
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / acidic
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do not Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Primula veris and wildlife
Primula veris is known for attracting bees, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers and is a caterpillar food plant.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Attractive to Butterflies/Moths
Attractive to Other pollinators
Is Primula veris poisonous?
Primula veris has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Primula veris
