Primula vulgaris - Primrose

Family:	Primulaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.3
Width:	0.25
Synonyms:	P. acaulis.
Range:	Western Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to N. Africa and W. Asia.

Primula vulgaris (Primrose) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.3m and a width of 0.25m . It has a hardness rating of 6and is vunerable to frost.
Primrose will flower in June to November. the seeds ripen from October to February
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, lepidoptera, self

Soil Information

Primrose will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Primrose prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Primrose can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Woods and hedgerows on acid and calcareous soils[4, 17]. Also found in the open on north-facing slopes in southwestern England[31].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Can spread to cover ground and will out compete weeds
• Suits a meadow
• Will grow in a hedge row

Cultivation Details

Prefers a medium to heavy moisture retentive humus rich loam in a cool position with light to medium shade[200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[187]. A very ornamental plant, there are many named varieties[187]. The blooms have a characteristic fragrance of a mossy bank or a deciduous woodland[245]. This species hybridizes readily with P. elatior[17].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
Young leaves - raw or cooked as a potherb, added to soups etc[2, 177, 183]. A mild flavour, though the texture is a bit tough[K]. The leaves are often available all through the winter[K]. Flowers - raw or cooked. They make an attractive garnish to salads[4, 183, 238, K], and can also be used as a cooked vegetable or in conserves etc[4, 183]. Picked when first opened, the flowers are fermented with water and sugar to make a very pleasant and intoxicating wine[2]. Both the flowers and the leaves can be made into a syrup or a tea[183].

• Flowers -
• Leaves -
• Tea - the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
Primroses have a very long history of medicinal use and has been particularly employed in treating conditions involving spasms, cramps, paralysis and rheumatic pains[238]. They are, however, considered to be less effective than the related P. veris[238]. The plant contains saponins, which have an expectorant effect, and salicylates which are the main ingredient of aspirin and have anodyne, anti-inflammatory and febrifuge effects[238]. This remedy should not be prescribed for pregnant women, patients who are sensitive to aspirin, or those taking anti-coagulant drugs such as warfarin[238]. The roots and the flowering herb are anodyne, antispasmodic, astringent, emetic, sedative and vermifuge[4]. An infusion of the roots is a good remedy against nervous headaches[4]. The roots are harvested in the autumn when two or three years old and dried for later use[4]. An ointment has been made from the plant and used for treating skin wounds[244].

• Anodyne - Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.
• Antispasmodic - Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
• Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• Emetic - Induces vomiting.
• Sedative - Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.
• Vermifuge - Expels and kills internal parasites.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[133]. Sow stored seed in early spring in a cold frame[1]. Germination is inhibited by temperatures above 20°c[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in autumn. This is best done every other year[200].

Scented parts of the plants

Flowers : Fresh

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

Makes a good carpet in open woodland and on woodland edges[24, 31]. Plants are best spaced about 35cm apart each way[208].

• Ground cover - Usually low growing plants that can be grown with other plants, especially shrubs and trees, to prevent the growth of weeds.

Cultivars

'' - There are some named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties. We have, therefore, not listed the cultivars in this database[K].

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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