Primula veris
Cowslip, Herb Peter, Keyflower, Fairy cups, Palsywort, St Peter's wort
Also known as Primula macrocalyx
- Height × spread
- 0.2m × 0.3m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is the much loved cowslip with a range that extends across Europe into western Asia. It has rich-green, oblong leaves that are held in small clumps. The flowers are borne in April and May and are held on long, sturdy stalks. They form an exuberant spray of individual blooms at the top of the flowering stalk. The sweetly fragrant little flowers come from a very long, creamy-green calyx. They are bright-yellow, the petals flared like little open mouths. The old country drink, cowslip wine, was said to ease migraine.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, sweet-vanilla
- Shape
- Cone
- Height
- 0.2m
- Spread
- 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Scented garden, Rock garden, Herb garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Ground cover, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
AutumnNow
Autumn · Planting
Remove offsets to create new plants
Offsets are small plants or shoots that develop around the parent plant. They should have developed a root system of their own before they are detached. They can be planted directly, or grown in pots if so small they could be 'lost' in the garden.
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with sequestrol
If plants are acid loving and grown in soil with little acidity, or in a container, or are watered with limey tap water an annual feed with sequestrol (iron chelate) is highly beneficial. Follow guidelines on the packet. Will also 'blue-up' hydrangeas.
For hydrangeas that have good blue flowers in acid soil, this product can be used with alkaline soil to turn the flowers blue. This is most effective when the soil is neutral or just slightkly alkaline.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Multi-purpose compost
Use a good quality peat-free multi-purpose compost when growing in pots and containers.
Found in
More Primula
Primula
Primrose
Primula beesiana Belarina Cobalt Blue = 'Kerbelcob'
Polyanthus primrose
Primula denticulata var. alba
Drumstick primula
Primula elatior
Oxlip, Paigle
Primula japonica 'Miller's Crimson'
Candelabra primula, Japanese primrose
Primula vialii
Vial's primrose, Orchid rimrose, Red hot poker primula
Primula 'Alaska Blue Gem'
Primrose
Primula 'Chameleon'
Primrose