How to Grow and Care for Primrose Flowers

About Growing Primrose Plants in Your Home Flower Garden

Perennial Primrose plants are a hardy flower, that includes a wide range of varieties. The plants are native to Asia, Europe, and North America. In North America, they originally were found in the Midwest to the Northwest areas of the U.S. Primrose comes in a wide variety of colors, in single blooms or in clusters. Flowers are sweet-smelling. Flowers bloom throughout the summer season. When growing primrose for the first time, you need to have patience. Plan on new plants blooming in the second year.

There are many kinds of Primrose. From a gardener’s viewpoint, they can be put into two groups: those that grow in bogs and woodlands, and those that thrive in rocky areas and on cliffs or hillsides. And, some varieties prefer rich, wet soils. While others like their soil dry.

There’s another reason to grow this pretty, sweet-smelling flower. Primrose flowers attract Hummingbirds, too.

Primrose plants are excellent for hillsides and as ground covers.

Flowers Bloom: Summer to early Fall

Plant height: 18 – 24 inches

Plant Hardiness Zones: 2 – 8

Perennial, Primula

Primrose Plant Propagation

Perennial Primrose is grown from seed. Primrose plants do not transplant well. It is best to directly seed them into your flower garden, a hillside, or anywhere that you want to use them as ground cover.

Sow Primrose seeds early in the season and cover lightly with soil. Seed spacing varies by variety. Check the instructions on the seed packet.

Final plant spacing: If information is not available, use 12″ to 15″ spacing as a gauge.

Day to Germination: 10 – 15

About Seed Germination

How to Grow Primrose Flower Plants

Perennial Primrose plants are easy to grow. They prefer cool weather, and full to partial sun. Soil conditions vary from rich loam to average soils, depending upon the variety. Mix in plenty of leaf mold before planting. Add leaf mold, if available, each year as a mulch, and to fertilize the plants. Drought-tolerant varieties are very popular as ground cover in dry areas.

It is important to know the primrose variety that you are growing. Some varieties grow in bogs and woodlands, and others thrive in rocky areas and on cliffs or hillsides. Also, some varieties of primrose prefer rich, wet soils. But, others like their soil dry.

Once your Primrose plants are established, they will grow well and bloom all summer long with little or no attention. Anticipate the first blooms in the second year. Being very hardy, they will likely survive the first light frosts before going dormant for the winter. They do not require mulching or protection in the winter.

Ideal Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5.

Also, see:

Plant Problems – Identify the causes and find the cures.