Their very name - primrose, primrose, primrose, primula suggests that it appears in spring as one of the first flowers. And indeed a large group of primroses begins to bloom already in early spring. Discover the most popular species that you can grow in your garden.
Primroses ( Primula ) are a large genus with over 500 species. They naturally occur mainly in the mountains in Europe and Asia, in areas with a temperate climate. There are over a dozen species in Poland, e.g. medicinal primrose, stemless or mica. Some species, such as Haller's primrose, growing in the Bieszczady Mountains, are unfortunately already extinct. If you encounter wild primroses, do not dig them up, as they are under strict protection.
The generic name of primrose comes from the Latin word primus - early. Very often it is also called primula or prymulka.
Although primroses are not very large perennials, they are very popular in gardens and houses, mainly due to the vivid and very diverse colors of flowers and early flowering. During mild winters, the first primroses bloom as early as March, and the last ones at the beginning of summer.
Primroses in the garden...
Primrose is primarily a garden plant. They are perfect for rockeries and spring rebates. It can be planted in the company of spring bulbous plants, however, the colorful colors of plants in a large cluster can cause a rainbow of colors to overshadow the charm of flowers. They look better against a more homogeneous background.
Primroses also look good under leafless trees or shrubs, as well as in the vicinity of evergreen plants such as: ivy, periwinkle or bergenia. In need of moist habitats (primrose: floury, flowery, Japanese) can be planted near ponds.
However, you should remember not to plant them in front of taller plants that will cover them due to their small size. Primroses: Georgian, stemless and haughty will look great along the paths. Primroses grow well on rockeries: stemless, GeoPrimroses are often planted in pots, baskets or other containers, decorating balconies and terraces in early spring.
From year to year they are gaining in popularity during Easter when together with yellow daffodils they become the main decoration of Christmas tables. They are used to create multi-colored compositions that add color to any room. After flowering, the primrose can be taken out of the pot and planted directly into the ground in the garden. However, there is a danger that the plants will be characterized by low frost resistance.rgian ,mica , serrated , zarzyczkowate .
Where to plant primroses?
Primroses like well-lit places on the flowerbed, but they should not be planted in full sun, because they will bloom less and less from year to year until they disappear completely.
Suitable substrate
To enjoy primroses for many years, carefully prepare the ground before planting. Primroses require fertile soils, rich in humus, quite heavy, loamy, which are moist even in summer. On light and sandy soils, even despite frequent watering, primroses develop very poorly
Frost protection. Are primroses frost hardy?
All cultivated and botanical primroses freeze during snowless winters, therefore the places where they grow should be covered with bark, dry leaves or fir twigs.
Curiosities related to primroses
Legends
Many legends and superstitions are associated with primroses. Once it was believed that woven into the hair or pinned to the dress, they would have a magical effect on men - they were supposed to open their hardened hearts, awakening warm feelings for the owner of the bouquet. Is this where their folk name - keys come from? Maybe. However, there is another legend, according to which primroses grew from a bunch of keys dropped from heaven by Saint Peter. And another one says that blooming primroses show the way to treasures and open the locks of the gates behind which they are hidden...
Primrose to eat - enjoy!
Wild primroses can be found practically everywhere. It is enough to look around during a spring walk. Most often they grow on the banks of rivers, in clearings, meadows. Their flowers have a fruity, slightly sour taste. They were once used by confectioners - they were candied, added to jellies, and even used to make candy and wine.
Primrose leaves are also edible, but the tastiest before flowering - older ones, unfortunately, become bitter. They can be added to salads or baked in pancake batter. In turn, the root of the plant is perfect for syrup. Medicinal! It helps with colds, relieves cough and various types of migraines.
However, before we start eating hand-picked primroses, we should check in the plant atlas what exactly the medicinal primrose looks like - because only this one can be tasted with impunity. You can also buy dried raw material in a herbal store. I definitely do not recommend the consumption of potted primroses! First of all, due to the chemical plant protection products used during their production and the pyrimine contained in the leaves - a substance to which some people may be allergic.
