Help the development of the site, sharing the article with friends!

Primroses are absolute heralds of spring. But what should be considered when planting and caring for the early and colorful spring flowering primula?

  • Planting time: spring or autumn
  • Location: sun or partial shade; no direct sun
  • Soil: loose, nutrient-rich (mixed with compost) garden soil, stores water well
  • Soil pH: slightly acidic

Observe this when planting primroses

Originally, the primrose is native to the entire northern hemisphere. Once planted out in the garden, this very perennial wild and garden perennial blooms again the following year. Planting out will definitely work with these step-by-step instructions.

  • The ground must not be frozen
  • Planting hole: 20 cm depth; 20 cm diameter
  • Loosen the soil and add compost
  • Remove the primrose from the pot and open the root crown at the ball
  • Primrose is placed in the planting hole and the root ball is covered with soil

Observing these conditions, you can plant primroses outside in the garden or on the balcony, however you like. Primroses do well in pots, beds, rock gardens or window boxes. As early bloomers, they set the first color accents when planted under hedges, shrubs and trees. Carpet primroses (Primula juliae) make beautiful ground covers. Rose primroses (Primula rosea) are suitable for slightly damp locations because of their high tolerance to moisture.

Note: Most commercially available primroses have been grown in the greenhouse. They are not used to cold temperatures. Therefore, it is best to acclimate the plants in a cool but sheltered spot for a few days before transplanting.

Combination with other plants

Since primroses flower from February to May, it is worth combining them with other early bloomers such as daffodils (Narcissus), snowdrops (Galanthus ) or Tulips (Tulipa). But also oneCombination with horned violets (Viola cornuta), bellis (Bellis perennis) and spring daisies (Leucanthemum vulgare ) is possible. These have a slightly later flowering period, which overlaps with that of the primula and allows your garden to bloom well into the summer. In the bed, ferns, grasses or late-blooming perennials fill in the gaps that appear after the primroses have bloomed.

Primrose as a houseplant

As a houseplant, cup primroses (Primula obconica), for example, bring color to the dreary winter and ensure that spring fever spreads. You can even express these spring feelings with a primrose. Because to give someone a primrose means: "Give me the key to your heart". However, if you want the primrose to feel comfortable in the room, there are a few things to consider.

  • Location: bright and cool room (e.g. north window seat)
  • The cooler, the longer the flowering phase (around 15°C)
  • Watering: lukewarm, low-lime water so that the root ball does not dry out; no waterlogging
  • Fertilization: during flowering every 2 weeks
  • Put outside in summer
  • Bring indoors before the first frost for overwintering
  • Repot: if necessary in early spring

Note: After flowering, the primroses can simply be planted out in the garden. Many species flower a second time during the summer.

Buy primroses or propagate them yourself

Every spring the shops lure you in with colorful little pots of primula. However, the small "good mood makers" do not necessarily have to be bought. If you already have older primroses at home or harvested seeds last year, you can diligently grow new primroses yourself.

Buy Primroses

From January, primroses will be available as small potted plants in supermarkets and hardware stores. After purchase, the primroses can be acclimatized indoors for four to five days before they are planted out. In perennial nurseries you will also find much more robust, smaller-flowered garden forms.

Primroses: harvest and sow seeds

Leave primrosesmultiply well by seed. This results in a recombination of the parents. When different varieties are combined, each seed resembles a colorfully filled surprise egg. If you want to be surprised, just stop cleaning the withered inflorescences at the end of the season. After fertilization, the formation of the seeds starts all by itself. After that, to harvest seeds, do the following:

  • Cut off the capsules before they turn really brown and shriveled
  • Leave to ripen on cloth and wipe off when pods are dry, dark in color but still closed
  • Seeds are ripe when they rattle in the pod
  • Shake out the 10 to 100 brown seeds
  • Store seeds in the screw-top jar in the refrigerator until ready to sow

Some species like cushion primroses (Primula acaulis) also look like themselves. Here the capsule fruits simply remain on the plant. So that the independent propagation really works, the soil should be as loamy as possible. For everyone else, the harvested or purchased seeds are sown in spring between February and April so that the primroses bloom the following year. The seeds used should not be older than 10 months. Then the germination capacity is highest. It will definitely germinate if you follow a few things when sowing.

  • February to April: Scatter seeds on seed compost
  • Sprinkle the seeds very thinly with sand (light germinates!)
  • Moisten soil with hand sprayer
  • ideal germination temperature: 10 to 15 °C (e.g. balcony)
  • transparent cover for humidity (ventilate daily after germination)
  • Germination time: 2 to 3 weeks
  • Pricking out in individual pots: 4-7 weeks after sowing

Note: Primroses are cold germs. The seeds need a cold phase so that they can germinate better and more evenly. Therefore, a short frost during the germination period can even be beneficial.

Propagate primroses by division

The primula has rhizomes that grow underground. These thickened shoots serve to store nutrients and to survive bad weather periods. However, they can also be used for propagation by division. Only older plants with a diameter of 15 cm or more are suitable for division.

  • Dig up the roots after flowering
  • Remove soil from rootstock and divide with spade
  • plant again at least 20 cm apart

Note: If you divide the plants every 3 to 5 years,promotes their longevity.

Caring for and watering primroses

Primroses are undemanding companions. They don't even need to be cut back. Nevertheless, there are a few little things to consider so that your flowers feel completely at home.

  • Fertilization: spring, when leaves sprout (organic fertilizer or compost)
  • Watering: lots of water during flowering; soil moist but not wet; no waterlogging!
  • Cleaning out faded inflorescences and dead plant parts

Primroses are sensitive to drought, but too much moisture increases the risk of gray mold (Botrytis) or root and stem rot.

Note: In young primroses, a lack of magnesium causes the leaves to turn yellow. Use 8 grams of magnesium sulphate (Epsom s alt) dissolved in one liter of irrigation water.

Overwintering perennial primroses

Primroses are rarely annuals. Most species among them are perennial shrubs to subshrubs. They partially retreat into the ground in the fall and only a few more sensitive varieties need light winter protection. Once planted, you don't have to do much to protect your darlings. If the temperatures remain below - 5°C for a longer period of time, the primroses will get too cold. In the bed, simply cover your primroses with a nice layer of brushwood, leaves, moss, bark mulch or spruce branches. Potted primroses are best placed in a sheltered, cool place at 3°C to 10°C - for example in the stairwell or in the basement. You can find out more about overwintering primroses and how to avoid frost damage here.

Help the development of the site, sharing the article with friends!

Category:

Garden Design