Primrose in the Garden

There are many flowers that herald the coming of the spring season and most gardeners have their favorites. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we have a surprisingly large number of shrubs that bloom in January/February. Our own native Mahonia, (Oregon Grape), is a good example with the bright yellow flowers casting some color in what might be a rather drab winter garden. The large shrub/small tree Hamamelis, (Witch Hazel) is a winter bloomer and so are some Viburnums. However, for an early winter flower, it is hard to beat the diversity of colors and flower types as the primrose.

 

On a recent visit to a garden center, I saw a beautiful display of blooming primrose plants in a wide assortment of colors. The largest display was of the single flower types and to many gardeners this is the traditional primrose. The bonus for me was that not only did I get to visually see the display of blue, purple, yellow, pink, white, and red, but I was also able to get a whiff of their delightful fragrance.

It was not many years ago that most primroses available were the single types. However, today there is more diversity in the flower types and while the single flowering types are the most widely sold, there are many new flower choices available. Double flowering primrose are becoming increasingly popular and available, and their color range is also as diverse as the single types. Actually, their color range may surpass the single types because many double flowers are multi-colored.

Single Flowering Primrose

Double Flowering Primrose

Several years ago, I discovered a new, to me, primrose called ‘Oak Leaf Yellow Picotee’. This was an excellent long-term bloomer, and the plants had flowers long past the usually blooming season. The leaves are as the name suggests, shaped like an oak leaf. A grouping of this primrose was in a pot in our entryway, and it received many positive comments because of the flowers and the leaves. In addition to the long blooming season, it seemed to be more sun tolerant than others.

Oak Leaf Yellow Picotee Primrose

There are other primroses that have clusters of flowers in tiered candelabra-like clusters. Combining these with other woodland and shade loving plants can create a peaceful scene. Once their blooming season is over, they die back to the ground and reappear the next year. Also, leaving the flowers on the stems until they set seed is a guarantee that new plants will also appear in the next spring,

Candelabra Type Primrose Cluster

Plant primrose in a woodland setting where they receive partial sunlight, at least some protection from the summer sun. A dappled shade location would be a good choice. Most would thrive in the same conditions as hostas. Primrose should be planted in a soil that has been enriched with organic matter and the roots mulched to help keep them cool especially in areas with hot summer sun. Black Gold Natural & Organic Raised Bed & Potting Mix would be an ideal potting mix.

 

Primrose make ideal outdoor potted plants and Black Gold Natural & Organic Potting Mix would give them the organic matter and drainage they need. A container of blooming primrose would certainly provide a bright color spot in a winter garden. They would also be perfect plants for a deck or patio while not much is blooming.

 

Visit a local garden center and a primrose purchase will be hard to resist!

 

PS Never being able to visit a garden center and not leave without a plant purchase, I found this gem. It is a primrose called ‘Pollyanna Crystal Fountain’ and as you can see by the picture, it is loaded with buds which indicate many new flowers yet to come!

Pollyanna Crystal Fountain Primrose

About Mike Darcy


Mike lives and gardens in a suburb of Portland, Oregon where he has resided since 1969. He grew in up Tucson, Arizona where he worked at a small retail nursery during his high school and college years. He received his formal education at the University of Arizona where he was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture, and though he values his formal education, he values his field-experience more. It is hard to beat the ‘hands on’ experience of actually gardening, visiting gardens, and sharing information with other gardeners. Mike has been involved with gardening communications throughout his adult life. In addition to garden writing, he has done television gardening shows in Portland, and for over 30 years he hosted a Saturday radio talk show in Portland. Now he writes, speaks, gardens and continues to share his love of gardening. To be connected to the gardening industry is a bonus in life for Mike. He has found gardeners to be among the friendliest and most caring, generous people. Consequently, many of his friends he has met through gardening.

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