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Hello dear readers. Today's topic is about garden perennial primrose. The name comes from the Latin word prímus - first or primrose, and is explained by the fact that many types of primrose bloom in early spring, one of the first, before the snow has completely melted. This is where the Russian name comes from.
Thanks to this feature, the flower attracts the closest attention of landscape designers, flower growers and gardeners. The perennial primrose, the cultivation and care of which does not take much time and effort, captivates with the beauty of its bright flowers against the backdrop of still sleeping nature.
Primrose is one of the very first spring flowers; people call it “rams” or “keys”. The Old Norse saga says that primrose flowers are the keys of the fertility goddess Freya, with which she opens spring. And the Germans believe that primrose is the key to marriage, so they included it in the love potion. It is also just a very beautiful flower. By planting it together with lobelia, you will decorate your garden.
General information
Primrose, also known as primrose, belongs to the Primrose family, order Heather. The name is “inspired” by the fact that most representatives of the genus bloom in early spring, as soon as the snow melts. Primrose began to be cultivated in ancient times, when it was called the flower of “12 gods”. In most cultures, magical properties are attributed to the primrose - somewhere its flowers were considered a key that could open any “passage”, find a treasure, somewhere they were part of love potions or were considered a protective talisman.
In nature, primroses live along mountain streams or in damp grassy valleys. The distribution area is quite wide - most species are found in Asia and Europe. Some grow in Africa, America, and the Middle East. Wild primrose is not uncommon in the mountains of Crimea, Transcaucasia and the Carpathians.
Most primroses are perennial or annual flowering herbs. The leaves are entire, often wrinkled and toothed, with slight pubescence; their shape depends on the species. They form a basal rosette. The rhizome is short, thick, with many superficially located roots. The flowers are five-petaled, widely funnel-shaped, and can be solitary or grouped into umbellate or racemose inflorescences. Primrose blooms from April to mid-summer.
Growing primrose in different parts of the world has become possible due to its high adaptive abilities. This is a frost-resistant plant, and at the same time it tolerates summer heat well. Some species are suitable for growing indoors.
Problems and solution
| Problem | Reason and solution |
| Primrose sprouts do not shed their seed coats. | If the plant is not able to shed its shell on its own, then it can be helped, otherwise growth and proper development will slow down. To do this, you need to carefully moisten the casing from a medical syringe and cover it with film overnight. The seed capsule softens and is easily discarded. |
| The perennial primrose changes its varietal color every year - spots and stripes appear. | Color changes can occur for several reasons:
|
| Primrose has dropped its leaves. | The plant lacks moisture and requires abundant watering. |
| No flowering. | This is very rare for primrose, unless the cause may be an excess of nitrogenous fertilizers. |
Popular types and varieties
The genus Primroses is one of the most numerous; More than 400 of its representatives have been found in nature in different parts of the world, and new species of primrose continue to be found to this day. In this regard, the classification is regularly updated. A little less than a third is cultivated. To facilitate “accounting,” the genus of primroses is divided into subgenera.
| Subgenus name | Description | Popular varieties of primroses |
| Primula orchid or Viala | Biennial. The leaves are elongated, up to 30 cm, lanceolate, with a finely toothed edge. The flower arrow is tall, up to 15 cm; inflorescences are conical, consist of many small bell-shaped flowers with a pleasant aroma | In gardens it is found in two variations: red-lilac and red-white. |
| Ordinary (stemless), or garden | Perennial. The leaves are oblong-lanceolate, rounded, toothed, strongly wrinkled. The flowers are funnel-shaped, up to 4 cm in diameter; collected in dense sessile inflorescences | Akaulis is a popular series with brightly colored petals and a contrasting “eye” in the center. Matryoshka is a series sold in the form of a mixture of seeds; It is distinguished by its compact, up to 20 cm, bush size. Virginia – white; with a yellowish core |
| Siebold | Perennial. The leaves are ovate-oblong, covered with grayish hairs. The flowers are small, collected in dense inflorescences of 12-15 pieces. | Late Snow – snow-white petals with a carved edge. Kumor – soft lavender flowers. Pink primrose is one of the hybrids, the name of which has not been preserved, with a light center and a darker edging of the petals |
| Chinese | Perennial. The leaves are heart-shaped, divided into 7 lobes. Flowers are about 2-3 cm in diameter | Stellata - a series with white, blue and red petals and a yellow core |
| Serrated | The leaves are dark green, lanceolate, rounded, embossed, with a corrugated edge; covered with silver hair. Collected into a tight socket. The peduncle is tall, up to 30 cm. The inflorescences are umbellate, large | Alba - snow-white bell-shaped flowers with a yellow core, collected in a large “ball”. Violet – purple, with a lighter core. Rubra – dark ruby, with a yellowish center |
| Cortusoid | Perennial. The leaves are ovate, covered with soft wavy hairs. Corolla up to 2 cm in diameter, petals heart-shaped | There are white varieties with a red core and reddish varieties with a white center. |
| Ushkovaya | The leaves are smooth, spatulate, obovate; covered with a grayish coating. Peduncle up to 20 cm in height, flowers are medium-sized, collected in inflorescences of 6-7 pieces; have a pleasant aroma | Suzanne is double, with wavy tonal pinkish petals and a yellow center. Blue Wave - bluish-violet petals with radial strokes. Zambia – dark red double flowers |
| High | The leaves are wrinkled, lanceolate, pubescent on both sides. The flowers are small, collected in inflorescences of 25-30 pieces. | Colossea - crimson petals with a bright yellow center. Duplex - bright crimson petals with a yellow center |
| Japanese primrose and bullea | The leaves are oblong-oval, up to 25 cm in length, with a serrated edge. Peduncle up to 50 cm; large dense inflorescences | Apple Blossom - pinkish petals with a crimson eye. Valley Red – cherry monochromatic flowers |
Sometimes natural species are also found in gardens, for example, spring primrose, also known as “ram” or “keys”. Its golden inflorescences resemble a bunch of keys, which, according to legend, open the “door to summer.”
The diversity of primroses is constantly increasing thanks to the work of breeders. The main “material” for work at the moment is the auricular primrose, on the basis of which two-, three-color and fancy hybrids, both simple and double, have been bred. Another variety of primrose that is actively used for breeding purposes is obconika (reverse conical). It is cultivated not only as a garden crop, but also as a potted crop.
Characteristic
The flower has a well-developed rhizome. In the zone of the root rosette there are leaf plates that are distinguished by their oblong shape. Some species are distinguished by the presence of so-called sessile leaves or petioles. There are also varieties of primrose that have wrinkled or leathery leaves that are greenish-gray in color.
There are no leaves on the elongated peduncles of primrose. Primrose buds can be single or part of common inflorescences. They also differ in their shape.
| Variety of primrose | Description and features |
| Primula vulgare | This is the most common type of plant, which is most often grown at home and looks great in a suburban area. The height of the plant does not exceed 10 cm. The flower has no stems. Multi-colored inflorescences can differ in different shades, ranging from white to deep black. The tricolor petals, which are collected in the shape of an umbrella, look especially beautiful. Primrose usually begins to bloom from February to April. This type of plant withstands night frosts well and is also suitable for growing on a loggia. When winter frosts occur, it is advisable to keep plants at a temperature not lower than -5°C. If the temperature drops below this indicator, then the plants must be brought indoors. |
| Hallera | This is a very unusual variety of primrose, which has almost disappeared. This medicinal plant is found at the foot of some mountains. This primrose grows up to 40 cm. It is distinguished by long leaves that are slightly retracted. The flowers resemble an umbrella with pointed tips. Primrose blooms from March to April. |
| Auricular | This primrose is often found in the Alps or the Balkans. The main feature of this plant is that it needs a large amount of calcium supplementation. In young primroses, the leaf plates are collected into a mundane rosette, which is located on short and wide petioles. Interestingly, the flowers of the auricular primrose smell the same as apricots, which is why they are of interest to gardeners. Plants begin to bloom in late May or early April. |
| Primrose small | This is another highland plant with very compact dimensions, which is suitable for acidic soil, rocky terrace or grassy slope. The primrose is distinguished by a short stem, the length of which reaches 1 cm. The flowers grow bell-shaped and purple. This variety of primrose is very resistant to frost, as it has a much better developed root system. |
| Mealy | This perennial primrose first appeared in Eurasia, as well as South America. The plants grow up to 30 cm high, the leaves have fibers, and the flowers have a pleasant pink hue. Flowering lasts from May to September. |
| High | This variety of primrose can grow up to 40 cm. It is distinguished by ovoid and slightly elongated leaves. Tall primrose flowers usually have two shades at once - with a yellow crown and an orange bud. |
| Retroscopic | This unusual primrose was bred in China. The height of the plant reaches 30 cm. Reverse primrose is distinguished by flowers of white, pinkish, red or a pleasant purple hue with green eyes. The leaves are also very beautiful. They are plugged into a socket. A stem grows from it. |
| Japanese | This unusual plant is distinguished by its decorative characteristics, as well as its unpretentiousness in the growing process. With proper care and watering, the height of the primrose can be 0.6 m. The flowers have a light yellow hue, and the length of the leaves can reach up to 20 cm. The plants reproduce independently, since after the flowering period spherical seed boxes are formed, which disperse the material for subsequent colors. This type of primrose is usually grown in slightly shaded areas. However, these flowers are also perfect for a well-lit place. The main thing is to ensure that the soil is moist and sufficiently acidic. Japanese primrose is quite sensitive to care. If she lacks something, she may die. It also does not tolerate frost very well. |
Perennial garden primrose (planting and caring for primrose will be discussed later in the article) goes well with low-growing and tall plants . Since it has bright colors and is one of the first to bloom, it becomes an indispensable element of the flower bed.
Role in landscape design
Primrose is used widely in the garden: in single or group plantings, for decorating rockeries, rock gardens, borders, garden vases and containers. The moisture-loving primrose can be used to frame fountains, ponds and streams. The best “neighbors” of primrose in landscape design are hostas, ferns, irises, phlox, and hellebores. It is good to plant primrose next to early flowering bulbous plants; it opens at the same time as them and prolongs the “life” of the composition. Thus, primroses can be used to frame hyacinths, daffodils, and tulips.
The versatility of primrose is also due to the fact that it can be planted both in open areas and in light partial shade, under the canopy of perennial shrubs. Primrose looks good in combination with peonies, roses, compact deciduous or coniferous shrubs. The most unpretentious ones, spring primrose and common primrose, can be planted even under trees.
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Growing primrose seedlings from seeds
Most often, primrose is grown from seeds. They can be purchased in specialized stores or assembled yourself. When purchasing, pay attention to the collection date - the seeds quickly lose their viability.
The seed material is stratified by placing it in the freezer for a month, except for serrated and common primrose, which do not need freezing. The time for sowing primrose is late October - early November. You can also sow in the spring, in mid-February - March, which makes caring for seedlings at home much easier.
Sowed in containers or boxes with drainage holes and a mandatory layer of expanded clay at the bottom. The soil for primrose is made up of leaf soil, sand and peat (4:2:1). The substrate is moistened, compacted with the palm of your hand and the seeds are laid out on the surface so that there are no more than 5 seeds per 1 cm2. Cover with film and place in a well-lit place with a temperature of 18-20 °C. The exception is high primrose and Siebold - these species germinate in the dark. Ventilate the soil daily and, if necessary, moisten the soil with a mist stream, preventing it from drying out.
When planting in spring, the seedlings hatch within 2 weeks; when planting in autumn, within a month. The cover is removed after another few weeks. Primrose seedlings grow slowly. After 3-4 true leaves appear, they are planted in larger containers at a distance of 10-15 cm. After picking, greenhouse conditions are not needed. Seedlings are kept in bright light, regularly watered and treated with a pinkish solution of potassium permanganate.
Seed preparation
Most varieties of primrose require preliminary preparation. The exception is the common primrose and serrated primrose. Unlike other varieties, they do not need to undergo a stratification process to germinate. In this case, the optimal temperature should not exceed +5 degrees.
Some gardeners begin to prepare seeds in winter, believing that the most favorable period for this is January.
Before subjecting the seed to stratification, the seeds are disinfected. This is necessary in order to prevent various diseases. For the purpose of such prevention, use a weak solution of potassium permanganate, keeping the seeds in it for no more than 3-5 minutes.
Some people believe that the best disinfection method is to treat the seeds with a solution of fiotlavin (a natural antibiotic that protects sprouts from blackleg). After preparation, the seeds can be stratified for 20-30 days and planted in the ground.
Planting primrose in open ground
Primrose seedlings are unpretentious and, when planted correctly and in a good location, rarely get sick or freeze.
What is the best time to plant
When to plant primroses in open ground depends on when the seedlings were sown. “Winter-winter” seedlings are planted in the spring, in April – early May, and they bloom in the first year. Those sown in the spring, accordingly, are transplanted to a permanent place in the fall, in September, and they will begin to produce buds only in the next season.
What is the best place to plant primroses?
For planting primroses, it is better to choose areas that are partially shaded during the midday hours, for example, located on the eastern side of buildings or large trees and shrubs. With an abundance of direct sunlight, primroses die. The place should be well ventilated. Close occurrence of groundwater is allowed. If there are drainage channels, it will also tolerate planting in lowlands where melt water accumulates in the spring.
Soil preparation
This primrose is picky about soil composition. For full development, it needs slightly acidic, nutritious, moisture-intensive and at the same time breathable soil. Before planting, the garden soil is “ennobled”: it is dug up, mixed with rotted humus, coarse river sand and high-moor peat mixed with chopped sphagnum moss (3 kg, 8 kg and 5 kg per square meter, respectively). At the same time, the roots of weeds are selected. In areas with heavy, compacted or low-nutrient soil, the top layer of soil up to 30 cm deep is completely replaced. In such cases, loose loam is used as an earthen “base”.
Landing technology
Primrose planting is carried out as follows:
- In a pre-prepared area, planting holes are made at a distance of 15 to 30 cm, depending on the size of the bushes.
- The holes are pre-watered.
- The seedlings are removed from containers with a lump of earth, being careful not to damage the roots.
- Move primroses into planting holes without deepening them.
- Add soil, compact it lightly and water again.
Primrose is planted in the evening or on a cloudy, cool day. After planting, be sure to mulch. For 3 weeks, until complete rooting, make sure that the soil does not dry out.
Differences and features of the procedure for different types of flowers
Ushkovaya
They got their name from the characteristic shape of the petals - in the shape of an ear. It does not tolerate waterlogged soil well, but thanks to its fleshy leaves it can maintain viability for some time, even if the earthen clod dries out completely. They tolerate even scorching sun well, but prefer to grow in partial shade.
Primrose aurica feels great on a mixture of leaf humus and river sand. They don’t like “greasy” and very nutritious soils, apparently because in nature they grow in rocky areas.
Japanese
When planting Japanese primrose, the method of planting freshly harvested seeds directly into the ground has worked well. The method of dividing the bush, cutting leaves and cutting roots is also used.
This type of primrose loves high soil moisture, especially in spring.
Prefers open, well-lit places. It responds very well to fertilizing; it is carried out at least 4 times per season. For the winter, the plant requires shelter. These features are important to consider when choosing planting sites and when caring for the Japanese primrose plant.
Scottish
Refers to mealy primroses. Often used to decorate alpine slides and rockeries.
To plant them, choose a place in partial shade or with diffused light. They like light soil mixed with gravel or coarse sand.
Does not tolerate waterlogging and stagnation of water. When planting this variety, it is important to consider soil drainage. Fertilizing is carried out moderately, with a weak solution of mineral fertilizers.
Caring for primrose in open ground
Caring for primrose in open ground is not difficult if the planting site is chosen correctly. To achieve abundant flowering, it is enough to maintain a certain level of soil moisture, regularly loosen it and remove weeds. Perennial primroses are planted every 3-4 years so that they do not crowd each other and do not lose their decorative effect. To prevent the root collars from being exposed, several centimeters of a mixture of nutrient soil, peat and sand are added to the site annually. One of the “secrets” of successfully growing primrose is mulching, which will help protect the surface root system from drying out and overheating.
For some varieties, for example, serrated and Japanese primula, leaves are plucked out, leaving no more than 2-3 on the bush. This is the only way to achieve abundant flowering from them.
Watering and fertilizing
Watering primrose in open ground is an important aspect of its successful cultivation. Lack of moisture is detrimental to primroses; in the absence of natural precipitation, they are watered abundantly and regularly. It is especially difficult to tolerate water starvation in the spring, at the time of budding, reacting to it by shedding the ovaries. At the same time, most primroses do not tolerate waterlogging. Water between the rows, trying not to get into the centers of the rosettes, which can cause rot.
They begin to feed primrose in April, immediately after the first leaves appear. At this time, nitrogen fertilizing is applied to stimulate the growth of green mass, for example, nitroammophoska. Primrose responds well to the addition of organic matter: infusion of cow manure (1 kg per bucket of water) or bird droppings (100 g per bucket of water). From the beginning of May until the end of flowering, they begin to fertilize primrose with phosphorus-potassium mixtures at intervals of 2 weeks. After flowering, feeding is stopped. Overwintering bushes can be fed again in October with potassium sulfate to help them prepare for winter.
Care after flowering. Preparing for winter
Caring for primrose after flowering comes down to removing flower stalks, hilling and watering. Many species produce buds repeatedly. It is better to prune them so as not to weaken the bushes before frost. The leaves are not cut off until early spring - they additionally protect the roots from freezing. In late autumn, the bushes are covered with fallen leaves, sawdust, straw or peat with a layer of up to 10 cm. The mulch is covered with branches on top to prevent it from being blown away by the wind. In the southern regions, caring for garden primrose does not require additional shelter for the winter.
Diseases and pests
Primroses are distinguished by good health and good immunity. But even “an old lady can be a mess.” If not properly cared for, primrose can become infected with fungal diseases.
- Fusarium (root rot) - it is almost impossible to cure flowers from it, since the root system is affected and the supply of nutrients to the stem and leaves is blocked. In order not to spread the fungal infection, the diseased plant is dug up by the roots and burned, and the soil is treated with fungicides and nothing is planted in it for a long time.
- Gray rot can be treated with a solution of foundationazole, but it is recommended to take plant preventive measures in advance and not wait until the flower gets sick.
- Phyllostic blotch appears as brown spots with black dots on the leaves. For prevention, plants are sprayed even before flowering with one percent Bordeaux mixture or its analogues. After the primrose has faded, the treatment should be repeated.
Of the parasitic insects, spider mites and aphids can covet primrose. They are easily removed by spraying with a strong solution of brown laundry soap. Literally two or three treatments over a week or two will be enough. But if it doesn’t help, you can use any insecticidal agent.
But slugs and snails do not cause much harm until they reproduce in large numbers. They are collected by hand.
Do you want your flowers to be beautiful and healthy? Then check them regularly for infection or pest damage.
Primrose propagation
Primrose propagation is usually carried out by seeds. But seed collected from hybrids will not transmit parental characteristics. These varieties of primrose are propagated by dividing the bush and using root or leaf cuttings. Root cuttings, or babies, are formed only in Primula auricula and serrata. They are separated from the mother rosettes in the spring and cared for like ordinary seedlings.
Most primroses can be grown from leaf cuttings:
- Large leaves are cut obliquely. The cut is treated with crushed activated charcoal or charcoal.
- Prepare containers and fill them with a mixture of peat and sand (1:1).
- The cuttings are planted with a slight slope and placed in greenhouses. Keep in a shady place.
- Roots appear after 2-3 weeks, then babies form at the base of the cuttings.
- After the appearance of 2-3 true leaves, the children are planted. They are cared for like seedlings.
Perennial primroses can be divided in the 3rd-4th year of cultivation. This procedure allows not only to obtain young trees, but also to rejuvenate overgrown bushes. They dig up and divide the bushes in early spring. Each part should have independent roots and several growth points. The cut areas must be sprinkled with coal. Plant as seedlings, preventing the roots from drying out. Dividing and replanting primroses are easy to tolerate and quickly take root in a new place, provided there is sufficient watering. Flowering primrose cannot be replanted. Large divisions bloom in the same year. Primrose can be replanted and divided in the fall, in September, but this increases the risk of freezing in winter.
How to propagate and plant perennial primrose
After about 4-5 years of development, primroses grow so much that they can be propagated by dividing the bushes. Most species are spring flowering plants. In April - May they have a period of active growth. After flowering and seed ripening, the plant enters a period of summer dormancy. At the beginning of August, the plants wake up, the growth of roots and leaves is activated, and flower buds are laid, which will turn into flowers next spring.
This feature of plant development determines the optimal period for their division: late August - early September, or early spring, although species common in gardens (Julia primrose, tall, many-flowered, Siebold) can easily tolerate replanting even at the time of flowering. It is advisable to divide the spring-blooming fine-toothed primrose early in the spring or in August. It is not advisable to divide later; the plant may freeze in winter.
Before the plant is dug up, it is watered. Then the plant is cut into several pieces of arbitrary size with a knife, the main thing is that there is at least one renewal bud. The surface of the cuts should be sprinkled with ash. Then the cut bushes need to be planted in the ground and watered as soon as possible.
Plant new primrose bushes at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other, and large species (fine-toothed, Florinda) at a distance of 20-30 cm. Follow the rule that there is no open space between neighboring bushes, especially small species. Then the rosettes of leaves shade the soil near the bush, and it dries out less. After transplanting, the plants need to be watered if there is a drought.
Division allows you to kill two birds with one stone: get new planting material and rejuvenate the plant. If primroses grow in one place for a long time without transplanting, then their flowering decreases, and the rhizomes located close to the soil surface are exposed. This can lead to freezing in cold winters, and drying out in hot weather. Therefore, every autumn, starting from the second year, you need to add nutritious soil to the plants, or mulch with leaves to cover the rhizome.
When dividing the bush, pieces of rhizome will certainly remain; try propagating primroses by root cuttings. They are planted in a light nutrient substrate to a depth of 2.5–3 cm. With sufficient humidity and heat, new rosettes will hatch from the renewal buds.
