Primula and Primroses

Primroses are easy to grow and come in a variety of forms, and there's a whole world of related plants in the Primula genus that are just as beautiful. These include our native yellow cowslips to stylish drumstick primulas and ornate polyanthus primulas and auriculas. They come in shades of yellow, pink, orange and more, most of them flowering in early spring but others blooming much later.

Primroses and primulas are versatile, suitable for growing in borders or containers, and work in both formal and informal planting schemes. Grow them individually or mixed with other spring-flowering favourites, in containers, borders, around the edge of your pond or naturalised in your lawn.

Sow Primula seeds on the surface of a good quality seed compost and gently firm down and cover with a fine layer of compost or vermiculite. Place the seed tray in a propagator or seal inside a clear polythene bag until germination. Keep the compost damp but not wet.

When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant into 9cm pots and grow on through the winter in a sheltered spot making sure they don’t fully dry out. Plant out in February at a distance of 30cm apart on any fertile, well drained soil in semi-shade. 

TOP TIP

If semi-shade isn’t available, ensure the soil remains damp at all times.

Sowing Prims direct is possible, but tricky. If you want to try it, we recommend sowing them in late spring in areas of your garden where established prims are happily growing and naturalising.