On a stormy day, I find nothing more cheering than looking out at my garden through a rain spattered window and seeing the colorful splash of a pot of primroses (Primula). When many other plants are wrapped in their blankets of dormancy, primroses offer up their astonishing colors for a delightful visual impact. Known as one of the first blooming plants of spring (Primula means “little first one”), there are over 450 species of primrose. Many are wild and can be found growing anywhere from craggy alpine locales to shady woodland paths, returning early every year to herald the new season. But the primroses we commonly find in our nurseries and garden centers are hybrids that are treated as annuals, particularly in areas like Yolo County where the summers are hot and dry.
Primroses are hardy and unfussy. These cool season plants grow best in partial sun or shade, and they like moist, well-drained soil. They thrive in containers as well as the landscape and can even live life as a temporary houseplant provided they have temperatures on the cooler side. Make sure to remove the spent blooms to encourage new growth. And keep an eye out for slugs and snails as they seem to like these jewel-toned beauties as much as we do.
Don't hesitate to give primroses a try. Whether you saturate a shady spot with a monochrome planting, trick out a container with a rainbow selection, or choose one 4-inch pot to grace a windowsill, it's hard to get it wrong with these showy flowers.