A beautiful garden plant that pleases with variety beautiful flowers, early flowering and unpretentious nature, is known as perennial primrose. Photos with detailed instructions for growing primrose can be easily found on websites dedicated to gardening. Aesthetic qualities combined with ease of care make this flower increasingly popular among both housewives and landscape design specialists.

What does a garden perennial primrose look like?

Primroses are beautiful perennial primroses.

Primrose flower is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Primrose genus. Under natural conditions, it grows in northern Africa and Central Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The plant has a powerful root system, which makes up its underground part. The leaf rosette, located in close proximity to the rhizome, consists of simple or dissected, sessile or petiolate leaves of an oblong-oval shape. There are varieties with wrinkled or dense, leathery leaf blades of gray-green color. At first glance, it may even seem that the leaves are covered with a slight coating of wax. But the greatest decorative value It is not the bright foliage that bears, but the colorful primrose flowers. They are attached to tender stems on elongated leafless peduncles. The arrangement can be single, but more often the flowers are collected in inflorescences of pyramidal, spherical, umbrella-shaped or bell-shaped. Tubular buds with a funnel-shaped or flat bend abundantly cover the bush, impressing with their beauty and variety of colors. At the end of flowering, fruits form on the plant in the form of a cylindrical or spherical polysperm.

Primrose perfectly adapts to environmental conditions and can be cultivated at home in Russia.

In addition to the garden, primroses grow wonderfully at home in pots

Types and varieties of garden perennial primroses

The family Primroses (also found as Primulaceae) has more than half a thousand species, making it one of the most numerous in the world flora. It is interesting that species not described by scientists are found in nature to this day. Huge variety different varieties allows gardeners to realize their wildest ideas and create amazing flower arrangements on their site. Naturally, before purchasing you should familiarize yourself with distinctive features each type to make sure that you can create the necessary conditions for the flower. In addition, knowing all the necessary information, choosing a hybrid with the desired color, inflorescence shape and leaf color will be much easier. Let's get started!

There is a huge variety of species and varieties of primroses

Primrose vulgaris (stemless)

This species is distinguished by a short rhizome consisting of thick, dense, cord-like roots. The leaves are lanceolate, their width reaches 6 centimeters and their length is 25 centimeters. They can partially remain on the plant during wintering.

The common primrose has pale yellow or snow-white single flowers with a purple throat, which are located on short peduncles (6-15 cm). Petals are dicotyledonous. During the flowering period, which begins in March, the bush is densely covered with colorful buds, so the stemless primrose looks like a festive bouquet. The most popular varieties:

• Virginia - snow-white buds with a yellowish throat;
• giga white - has white flowers;
• cerulea - rich flowers with a bright yellow throat.

Primrose stemless has a very short stem, which is where its name comes from.

It is an evergreen herbaceous perennial with thick, leathery leaves of a rich green color with a slightly toothed border. They are covered with a slight powdery coating and can be oval or oblong. The flowers of the auricular primrose are yellow and reach up to 2 centimeters in diameter. Note that gardeners value hybrid varieties of this species more, as they have excellent decorative properties. For example, there are varieties whose buds are painted in several bright colors at once (Jonathan), and also have an unusual pattern on the petals. As a rule, flowers are formed on delicate peduncles (10-25 cm), have a yellowish throat and are collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences.

Primula aurica or auricola - has large bright rosettes of flowers

It is a natural hybrid, which is based on species such as primrose auricular and stiff-haired. This is a fairly compact herbaceous perennial, growing up to 15 centimeters in height. The obovate leaves are collected in a miniature basal rosette (2-8 cm), have finely toothed edges, and are also densely covered with tiny grayish villi. The leaf blade is colored on the outside green color, and on the inside it has a fawn color; the entire surface of the leaves are covered with a powdery coating. The flowers are located on erect, powerful, mealy stalks, the length of which varies from 5 to 15 centimeters. Inflorescences in the form of apical umbrellas consist of 15-20 flowers directed towards the top.

Flowering lasts from early May to June. Hairy primrose is a frost-resistant plant that can withstand temperatures as low as -29 °C.

Primrose pubescent is a hybrid of auricular and stiff-haired primrose, which has a beautiful rosette with small villi on the petals along the edges

The plant is a bush-like perennial with large spherical inflorescences, which consist of a large number of snow-white, purple, burgundy or lilac flowers. The diameter of the inflorescence can grow up to 10 centimeters, and the diameter of the flowers is 0.5-2.5 centimeters. It is interesting that at the beginning of flowering, the oblong, lanceolate, wrinkled leaves of light green color are practically not visible, and the peduncle rises above the bush by only 2-3 centimeters. After several weeks it grows, and the height of the inflorescences increases to 20-25 centimeters. Simultaneously with the peduncle, leaves also grow, which can increase from 5-7 centimeters (at the beginning of flowering) to 20 centimeters. During the period of fruit ripening, the length of the peduncle varies from 30 to 50 centimeters, and the leaf blade increases to 30-40 centimeters. Note that fine-toothed primrose blooms from April to mid-June. The stems and foliage of the plant are covered with a specific powdery coating, so experts do not recommend moistening them.

Primrose fine-toothed has spherical inflorescences of small flowers on a peduncle, which grows as the plant grows

Japanese primrose is a special variety, as it is somewhat different from its relatives. Firstly, it is characterized by rather late flowering, which begins in June, and not in April-May. Secondly, its inflorescences have a shape uncharacteristic for primroses, which breeders have dubbed candelabra. They are located on an oblong peduncle that can reach up to 40 centimeters in length. Colorful whorls, each containing 5-7 small buds, gradually begin to bloom on it. In adult primroses, the peduncle can have up to 6 tiers. It is interesting that when the upper inflorescences just begin to bloom, seeds are already forming and ripening on the lower ones.

This species is a long-flowering species, since its flowering period is on average 30-40 days. This sets it apart from other varieties and makes it so widely popular among gardeners. By the way, a powerful, long peduncle allows you to use Japanese primrose for cutting and forming bouquets.

Japanese primrose is a candelabra late species of primrose that begins to bloom in May, but gradually

Primula florinda

It is a perennial herbaceous plant that is distinguished by abundant flowering and unusual bell-shaped buds. Bright leaves are collected in dense rosettes, above which drooping rich yellow flowers, collected in neat inflorescences, rise on long stalks. Naturally, the perennial requires a lot of effort to form buds, so experts recommend thinning it out annually. The bush should be trimmed so that no more than 3-4 powerful rosettes remain on it. If you properly care for your primrose florinda, it will thank you. long flowering, lasting from June to August. Also worth noting is the captivating aroma of flowers spreading throughout the garden. Please note that in winter the delicate flower will need shelter to protect it from frost and gusts of wind.

Primula florinda is a bell-shaped species of primrose that thrives near bodies of water.

Early flowering varieties are of particular interest to gardeners, one of the representatives of which is Primrose Voronova. The plant is a fairly compact bush, growing up to 20 centimeters. It has ovoid basal leaves and delicate pinkish-purple flowers that form beautiful umbrella-shaped inflorescences. Flowering begins in April and continues until mid-May. This graceful flower will be an excellent addition to other hybrids.

By planting several varieties on your site that bloom at different times, you can enjoy the amazing flowering of primrose throughout the spring and summer.

Primula Voronova - an early small variety of the species Primula acaulis

Primrose small

This low-growing variety will undoubtedly appeal to lovers of miniature plants. It looks great both as an independent plant and as an addition to flower arrangements from other varieties. Under natural conditions, the small primrose is found in rocky areas of Central and Southern Europe. The height of an adult bush is only 5-7 centimeters, and the width is 10-12 centimeters. The flowering period falls in mid-May to late June. Please note that the flower should be transplanted into humus-rich, well-drained acidic soil, otherwise a small number of flowers will form on the bush.

Small primrose is a miniature variety of primrose that most often grows in rocky areas

Primrose Julia is one of the most popular varieties cultivated in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Its main advantage is long and abundant flowering, which lasts from April to May. Even novice gardeners can grow and propagate this variety, because it is unpretentious, hardy and resistant to low temperatures. Its jagged leaves are rich green. Typically used as a ground cover or border plant to crowd out unsightly weeds.

Primula Julia is a small ground cover species of primrose from Transcaucasia, which is unpretentious and blooms for a long time

It is a herbaceous perennial with a short horizontal rhizome. Spring primrose has oblong, wrinkled, obovate foliage. There are species with vaguely crenate or serrated leaves, forming a loose basal rosette, from the middle of which a bare peduncle emerges. Five-membered, dimorphic flowers yellow color reach up to 15 millimeters in diameter. They droop slightly to one side, have a ten-toothed calyx and form an umbrella-shaped inflorescence tilted to the side.

This is a long-blooming species, so enjoy bright colors you can from May to early July.

Spring primrose or veris is considered a medicinal plant, often used for decoctions and infusions

Primrose high

Perhaps the name speaks for itself: the tall primrose can grow up to 35 centimeters in height. It reaches this size thanks to a powerful root system, which is formed by many cord-like brown roots. The leaf blades are lanceolate or ovoid in shape and covered with small wrinkles. Often the edges of the leaves of the plant are framed with small teeth, and their inner side covered with grayish hairs. Small flowers (diameter 2-3 cm) are collected in lush umbrella-shaped brushes. Primrose is not only beautiful, but also fragrant, so plant several perennial bushes near the gazebo.

The main difference between tall primroses is their long peduncles.

Primrose rejected (Siebold's primrose)

This herbaceous perennial is medium in size and can reach up to 25 centimeters in height. It has a thin, highly branched, long rhizome. Lanceolate-oval, toothed leaves are located on elongated petioles. Often there are hybrids whose leaf blades are densely covered with tiny fibers. Peduncles with large flowers rise majestically above the green bush. Depending on the variety, the buds, collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences, can be colored pink, purple or soft purple with a white throat. Flowering lasts from early May to June.

Primrose Siebold is Japanese variety primrose with serrated leaves

Pink primrose is a spring perennial, enchanting with its incredible beauty and bright colors. The height of an adult plant is 30 centimeters. It has wrinkled leaves narrowed into a small petiole and long arrows (20-30 cm). The buds are painted bright pink and form umbrella-shaped inflorescences. Most often this type is used to decorate lawns and borders. For fast growth and abundant flowering The bush requires loose, fertile soil and a large amount of moisture, so it should be watered abundantly and fertilizers should be added to the soil.

Pink primrose is great for growing on an alpine hill

Primula Bisa

The bush is formed by oblong leaves of an obovate shape, collected in rosettes. The leaf blade is narrowed towards the base, has a blunt apex and is covered with small teeth along the edges. The variety is distinguished by rather dense, hard, long (up to 50 cm) peduncles, which are covered with a slight powdery coating. They contain bright candelabra inflorescences consisting of 8-16 large flowers. They are collected in whorls and form from 2 to 8 tiers on the peduncle. The opened bud reaches 2 centimeters in diameter. Depending on the variety you choose, the buds may be pink, raspberry or carmine in color.

Primula byssus is a candelabra species of primrose.

As a rule, the presented variety is grown as a biennial, but perennial cultivation is also possible. Beautiful, long (up to 40 cm) leaves have an uneven serrated border and fall off in the winter. The inflorescences are located on high (up to 50 cm) peduncles in 5-7 tiers. The flowers can be yellow-orange or orange in color and bloom from June to July. Primrose Bullea looks great near ponds and streams, and is also well suited for creating flower arrangements.

When placing a plant in open ground, you should take care of reliable winter shelter, since the flower does not tolerate low temperatures.

Primula Bullea is a candelabra species of primrose with tiered flowers.

One of the tallest types. The peduncles are quite thin, but despite this, they can reach up to 75 centimeters in length. Powerful, erect stems are covered with a slight powdery coating. The leaves have an oval or lanceolate shape and are collected in a dense basal rosette. The drooping buds make up lush multi-flowered umbrella-shaped apical inflorescences, located on the peduncle in several tiers. The funnel-shaped corolla is pale yellow or cream in color. The flowering period occurs in May-June. The plant can withstand frosts down to -23°C and prefers to grow in wetlands or well-moistened areas.

It is a compact bushy perennial that does not grow higher than 20 centimeters. The basal leaves converge into delicate rosettes, from which arrow-peduncles rise majestically. Spatulate-lanceolate leaves can be entire or finely toothed. The foliage, stems and peduncles are covered with a whitish-yellow powdery coating. Flowers of purple, pinkish-lilac or deep purple have a bright throat and are collected in umbrella-shaped racemes.

The plant blooms from May to June, but with proper care, re-blooming is possible in early September.

Powdery primrose is a primrose with umbrella-shaped inflorescences and the presence of a white or yellow coating on the plants

This variety is usually cultivated indoors, placing a flowerpot with a bush on the windowsill or balcony (in summer) of the apartment. It is a herbaceous annual plant that grows up to half a meter. The leaves, collected in a dense rosette, are attached to dense petioles. The leaf blade may be oval or heart-shaped, as well as an unusual serrated border. Leafless pedicels rise above the bush, on which there are several whorls. As a rule, the inflorescence consists of 10-20 small fragrant flowers. The buds can be colored pink, red or snow-white, the throat is yellow. The plant will delight you with colorful flowers in the middle of winter, giving you a spring mood.

Primrose softleaf is usually suitable for growing indoors

This is a perennial with beautiful grayish-green, serrated, round-heart-shaped leaves, covered with a pronounced powdery coating. Umbrella-shaped inflorescences of tiny yellow flowers are located on tall peduncles. As a rule, the length of the peduncle varies from 20 to 30 centimeters, and the diameter of the flower does not exceed 1 centimeter. The buds are very thin, pleasant aroma, so the plant is often placed near gazebos or houses.

Primrose cussica - another type of primrose for growing indoors

Chinese primrose

It is a herbaceous perennial. A bush placed in the garden usually grows up to 30 centimeters. It has petiolate leaves of a rounded heart shape, collected in a powerful rosette and reaching 10-15 centimeters in length. The edge of the leaf blade is serrated. Umbrella inflorescences are located on high peduncles. The flowers are quite large (4 cm). There are varieties with snow-white, pink, red or orange buds, as well as wavy petals. The Chinese primrose will bloom annually only if after each flowering you artificially arrange a dormant stage for it.

The structure of Primula sinensis Primula sinensis is perfect for growing both in the garden and at home

The reverse conical primrose comes from China and is one of the tallest members of the family. An adult plant reaches a height of more than half a meter, has pubescent oval leaves with a heart-shaped base, located on oblong petioles. The edges of the leaf blade are slightly wavy. At the root, the foliage gathers into several powerful rosettes. Leafless flower stalks grow up to 25 centimeters, the inflorescences are umbrella-shaped. The color of the buds depends on the chosen hybrid. There are varieties on the market with scarlet, blue, snow-white or pink flowers.

Please note that fragrant flowers can cause allergies in people sensitive to strong odors. In this case, we recommend giving preference to special hypoallergenic hybrids, bred by breeders specifically to prevent allergic reactions.

Obconical primrose has another name - Primula obconica

We have presented to your attention the most common types of primroses, but in Lately Hybrids such as polyanthus primrose, terry primrose, obconica, acaulis, colossea, Elizabeth Killeley evening primrose, denim, Dutch and roseanne are becoming increasingly popular. Of particular interest are the mix varieties, which are a mixture of different species planted in one container.

How to care for primrose at home

Breeding primrose is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. Having familiarized yourself with the basic recommendations of experts on creating optimal conditions for a flower, you can grow healthy plant and even propagate it.

Lighting

Perennial primrose is distinguished by a wide variety of varieties, allowing you to get aesthetic pleasure from contemplating beautiful flowers throughout the spring and autumn period. Almost all varieties suitable for growing in garden conditions are unpretentious, so an area of ​​the garden where other plants do not want to grow may be suitable for primrose. When caring for primrose, you should remember that this flower prefers diffused lighting; direct sunlight is harmful to it.

Planting a plant requires compliance with a number of simple rules. Primrose varieties that prefer direct sunlight are very few in number, so when choosing a place to grow these bright flowers, you should focus on shaded areas and semi-shaded flower beds.

Primroses are unpretentious in care, but it is preferable to choose places with diffused lighting for them.

Temperature

In summer it is better to keep the plant on open balcony or in the garden. After the end of the flowering season and with the onset of cold weather, home primrose becomes full-fledged indoor flower. Primrose is perfect for growing outdoors as it prefers cool temperatures. For example, it is better to keep house flowers at 16-20°C, and during flowering it is recommended to move them to a northern windowsill. Naturally, the plant will grow well at normal room temperature, but in this case you should not hope for long-term flowering. Sometimes, pots of primrose are even placed between the frames of old windows to provide it with optimal conditions.

In summer, it is better to take indoor primroses out into the open air.

Humidity

The flower signals a lack of moisture by drying out the edges of the leaves. The atmosphere around the primrose should be moist; from time to time the leaves should be sprayed with warm and soft water.

Primroses are moisture-loving flowers

How to water primrose

During the dormant period, when the flower does not bloom, it is watered moderately, avoiding excess moisture that can destroy the roots of the primrose. During flowering, primrose requires abundant watering, so as soon as the soil on the surface of the flowerpot begins to dry out, moisten it with settled water. warm water. Watering should be done directly under the root, otherwise tender leaves may rot.

Top dressing

Care at home involves mandatory feeding of the plant. Most gardeners do not recommend feeding the plant with too rich fertilizer; it is better to dilute it greatly. It is preferable to apply the fertilizing itself comprehensively, starting from the moment the buds appear. Before the first signs of flowering, you should not fertilize the plant, as it will refuse to bloom and will devote all its energy to the leaf. During the period of active flowering, primrose should be fed every 14 days.

Bloom

As already noted, during flowering, primrose requires cool temperatures, high humidity and abundant watering. You should also not forget about fertilizing, which will help somewhat prolong flowering and give the plant the necessary components to form colorful buds.

How to speed up primrose flowering

To speed up flowering and stimulate plant growth, it is sprayed by special means. A 0.01% gibberellin solution is perfect. Such preparations should be used at the stage when buds are just beginning to form on the primrose

You can speed up the flowering of primroses using a 0.01% gibberellin solution

Primrose care after flowering

After the flowering period, the plant should be pruned, faded buds should be removed from the bush and the primrose should be prepared for wintering. It is recommended to reduce watering and moistening; fertilizing should be done no more than once a month.

How to prune primrose

Pruning involves removing flower stalks from faded inflorescences. This procedure is carried out so that the primrose does not waste energy on forming seeds. Thus, you somewhat prolong flowering and stimulate blooming following colors. Also, do not forget to trim off yellowing and wilted leaves.

How does primrose reproduce?

This bright and positive flower is not only easy to care for, but also provides gardeners with several options for propagation:

• growing from seeds;
• plant cuttings;
• dividing the bush.

Let's look at each of them in more detail.

How to grow primrose from seeds

Recently, the method of propagating primrose by seeds has become increasingly popular. Despite the fact that experts consider this method to be the most energy-intensive and labor-intensive, many amateurs prefer it. Primulas grown from seeds surprise owners with unexpected colors and a riot of colors, while the characteristics of the mother plant are not always preserved.

Before sowing primrose seeds, it is better to stratify them

At home, primrose is grown from seeds using the same technologies that are used when propagating garden flowers:

• Before planting in the soil, the seeds are kept in a cold place for several days (this procedure is called stratification);
• after aging, the seeds are planted in moist soil to a depth of 5 millimeters; primrose can also be sown in peat tablets;
• after the first shoots (after four to six weeks), the sprouts are carefully observed, waiting for the first leaves to appear;
• the appearance of the first leaves serves as a signal for plants to pick;
• grown seedlings are planted several at a time in one pot.

Please note that primrose from seeds blooms only in the second or third year.

Dividing the bush

This method is considered the most popular among gardeners due to its simplicity and accessibility, especially since this procedure should be carried out regularly: young bushes must be separated from old ones so that the plants do not interfere with each other. The overgrown primrose is dug out of the ground, the roots are washed under running water and divided with a sharp knife. The separated plant is immediately planted in the ground and provided with daily watering.

Garden primrose reproduces well by dividing the bush

Cuttings

The cutting method is considered a little less popular. By the way, this method is more preferable for the primrose itself. Photos demonstrating the cutting procedure can be easily found on the Internet. When cutting, first of all, make a small incision on the upper part of the root, which will provoke the growth of buds. After the shoot grows, it is transplanted into the soil and watered regularly.

Leaf cuttings

Leaf cuttings are also excellent for propagation. To do this, you should select several strong leaves, shorten them by one third, and then treat them with a special stimulator for root formation. The resulting seedlings are planted in individual pots with substrate, deepening the cuttings by 2 centimeters. Until a pair of true leaves appear, the small primrose should be kept under a special shelter.

How to transplant primrose

If you were given this beautiful flower as a gift or purchased it from a flower shop, most likely you will have to replant the plant. This is the only way you can be sure that the soil and pot size are ideal for your primrose. Transplantation is also carried out at the end of the flowering period.

The soil

Primrose is known as a grateful flower, sensitive to care. Experts say that the main requirement for care to ensure plant comfort is maintaining optimal level soil moisture in which perennial primrose grows. Planting a flower requires a high-quality selection of soil mixture.

Due to the weakness of the root system inherent in most types of primroses, the soil under these flowers should be loose and permeable, clean, and free from weeds.

Choosing a pot and planting

If you live in the city and want to decorate your windowsill with a wonderful flower - potted primrose will be best choice. It does not require a large flowerpot. It is enough for it to be approximately twice the size of the bush. To begin, fill the pot one-third full with drainage, then pour part of the substrate into it, consisting of a special soil mixture and sand. Remove the plant from the old pot, shake off the soil thoroughly and place it in a new one, placing the root collar closer to the surface. Be very careful with the roots so as not to damage them. Now all you have to do is water the primrose generously with purified water and fill the soil to the required level. Be careful not to get water on the delicate leaves, otherwise they may rot.

When the indoor primrose grows, it is transplanted into a larger pot.

Planting in open ground

Experts recommend planting primrose in spring or autumn. The most suitable period will be from the end of May to the beginning of June. Choose a shaded place for the plant, protected from direct sunlight. Only alpine primrose hybrids can be planted in the sun. Before planting, you should thoroughly loosen and moisten the soil and apply complex fertilizers. It is also necessary to take care of drainage to prevent water from stagnating in the ground. If the ground is on your garden plot excessively heavy and clayey, make it somewhat lighter by adding a mixture of sand, manure, vermiculite and moss. The distance you need to maintain when planting primrose largely depends on the variety you choose. For miniature hybrids, 10-15 centimeters will be sufficient, and tall species Twice as much space is needed, so they are planted 20-30 centimeters apart. The fit must be quite tight, otherwise flower composition will look unaesthetic. The application of complex fertilizers will help to accelerate the growth and increase the flowering time of the plant.

Grown primumul seedlings from pots are transplanted into open ground

Primrose care after planting

After planting, primrose takes some time to take root and adapt to the new place. During this period, seedlings need regular watering, loosening the soil and fertilizing. Don’t forget to remove weeds weekly that interfere with the development of the flower’s root system. In summer, watering is doubled, increasing water consumption to 3 liters per 1 m².

It is recommended to use complex mineral fertilizers well diluted with water as top dressing. The dosage indicated in the instructions is usually reduced by 1.5-2 times, and the feeding procedure is carried out weekly. Also alternate phosphorus and potassium mixtures to make it easier for the perennial to regain strength after the formation of lush buds.

Diseases and pests of primrose

The most common cause of various diseases and pests is improper flower care. For example, yellowing leaves indicate insufficient air humidity or primrose content with excessive high temperature, excessive watering or fertilizing. Too frequent and abundant watering often leads to the plant being affected by gray rot, which destroys the stems and root system of the plant. Adjust the watering system, remove wilted stems and replant the primrose in a new substrate. As for pests, primrose most often suffers from spider mites or aphids. Treatment with an insecticide for indoor plants will help get rid of them.

If not properly cared for, primroses can be affected by gray rot.

Primrose is not only excellent ornamental plant, but also a storehouse of healing substances. This is no secret, because it has long been used in folk medicine. For example, the benefits of decoctions and tinctures using primrose flowers and leaves have long been proven by scientists. Capsules, herbal teas and other preparations are made based on the plant. Naturally, any remedy can be used only on the recommendation of the attending physician, who will indicate the required dosage and describe the exact regimen of use. Primrose oil is most widely used because it has a number of beneficial properties. It is taken for women's diseases and cycle disorders, diseases of the cardiovascular system, mental disorders and even during pregnancy. The range of uses is quite wide, so primrose oil should be in every medicine cabinet. Please note that the purchase of medicinal products should be carried out exclusively in a pharmacy, since a drug purchased in a supermarket or on the market may not meet quality standards and cause harm to the body. As for manufacturers, the products of Solgar and Ginocomfort have many good reviews.

One of the most beautiful garden flowers blooming in early spring, is a primrose, whose name comes from the word “primus”, translated from Greek as “early, first”. This plant is popularly called “rams” for its wavy leaves, similar to the backs of sheep, or “keys” for its inflorescences, which, according to ancient legend, are associated with a bunch of spring keys.

The title photo shows the primrose Primula pubescens, variety ‘Exhibition Blue’.

Types and varieties of primrose suitable for growing in open ground

Primrose, or primrose, is a small ornamental bush. Its leaves are wavy at the edges and rough to the touch, and its spectacular bright buds are collected in inflorescences. This plant is popular all over the world due to its beauty, simplicity, and ease of care. The period of active growth of primrose is quite long, it begins in early spring and can end in early summer, so this plant is suitable for planting on, and is also widely used in landscape design.

Interesting to know! There are more than 200 species of garden primroses, but only a few of them are popular in our climatic conditions. These species can be divided into 2 groups: spring-flowering and summer-flowering.

Types of spring-flowering perennial garden primroses grown in our country:

• Stemless, or common (vulgaris)- one of the most common types of primrose, which has many varieties. It is characterized by the following features: oblong-shaped leaves and short peduncles, which are located almost at the same level. The height of the stems of common primrose reaches 15 cm.
• Spring (veris)- this species includes plants with wrinkled oblong leaves of a light green tone, and bright orange inflorescences, inclined to one side, on a high stem.
• Fine-toothed (denticulata)- round inflorescences of white, blue, light blue, lilac or pink shade, with a diameter of up to 5 cm, which are located on a stem up to 30 cm high.
• High (elatior)- has inflorescences of yellow stamens with a dark core, directed upward and small serrated leaves.
• Julia (juliae)- this type of primrose has characteristic bright shades red buds and green leaves. The primrose is not afraid of frost, it grows quickly, forming a continuous covering.
• Cortusoides- has rough leaves with small teeth along the edges, and umbrella-shaped inflorescences of 5–10 lilac buds. The peak growth of this variety of primroses occurs in late spring or early summer.
• Auricula (ear primrose - auricula)- this species is characterized by the presence of delicately fragrant monochromatic or bicolor flowers and leathery leaves wrapped in the shape of a shell.

Summer flowering primroses do not tolerate low temperatures and excess water at the root. They can reach a height of up to 1 meter and also have a strong stem and large leaves. As a rule, summer-flowering primroses are grown in areas of Asia, China, Tibet and the Himalayas at elevations up to 4 thousand meters, on the banks of reservoirs or in wild forests.

Types of summer flowering primroses:

In accordance with the shape and position of the buds in the inflorescences, primroses are distributed into groups (varieties).

The classification of primrose varieties was determined by German scientists:

1. Cushion-shaped- have single inflorescences and short stems that are located just above the leaves;
2. Globular- have dense ball-shaped inflorescences, which are located around a long stem;
3. Campanulates- have inflorescences of small bell-shaped flowers;
4. Umbrella-shaped- have umbrella-shaped inflorescences on a stem, up to 20 cm high;
5. Tiered or candelabra- the inflorescences are located on the stem in several tiers; outwardly, the flowers of this variety resemble a candlestick.

Certain varieties of primroses have pleasant smell. The root of the plant is located on top of the soil, so frequent watering and fertilization have a beneficial effect on the primrose.

Primula marginata, variety ‘Drake’s Strain’

Growing from seeds

You need to grow garden primrose only from high-quality seeds, so before purchasing them you should pay attention to the shelf life. It is better to leave grains purchased in advance or collected on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.

The process of growing primroses from seeds is quite painstaking. Only those plants that were planted will bloom in the spring-summer period no later than January. Sowings made after this month, in most cases, give color only after a year. Therefore, it is recommended to plant freshly harvested grains immediately in seedling boxes or in open ground, and late sowing in February is also allowed.

For better germination seeds needed carry out stratification, which is carried out in several stages:

1. A seedling box or container with holes in the bottom to allow water to drain out fills with soil.
2. On the top layer of loosened wet soil seeds are laid out at a distance of 1 cm, and are compacted a little.
3. Box covered with a lid or placed in a plastic bag. After this, the container with the seeds placed at the very bottom of the refrigerator. If such a need arises, the soil should be moistened.
4. If germination does not occur for a long time, the container must be leave at a temperature not lower than -10 o C for a 3-day period.
5. After 3–4 weeks, the seeds hatch, after which the container is opened slightly to allow fresh air to flow to the seedlings. The box is pulled out of the refrigerator and placed in the shade.
6. When 2 leaves appear, the seedlings must be pruned, placed in a shaded place and left for 10 days.. After this time, when the seedlings have grown and become stronger, you can remove the bag or lid from the box.
7. Primroses are planted in open ground during the period from mid-June to August, when there is no risk of frost.

It is important to know! Planting of some types of primroses is carried out taking into account certain characteristics. Thus, fine-toothed and common primroses do not need stratification, but after pecking the seeds, the first type must be placed in complete darkness, and the second in the light.

Planting and caring for garden primrose

You can plant primrose by seedlings, or by dividing the root in early spring and late summer. The soil should be clayey, fertilized with organic matter, moist and slightly loose. It is important to ensure that there is no stagnant water or hard, heavy soil at the planting site, since such conditions are not suitable for the plant.

Most types of primroses are preferably planted in a bright area, but there are also those that love shade (Julia primrose) or rocky soil (ear primrose).

It is recommended to add a little sand to the soil before planting. Mineral fertilizers are applied in the second year of the plant’s life in 3 stages: in early spring, 2.5 weeks after that, and in mid-summer. Before the primroses emerge, the soil needs to be slightly loosened and moistened.

It is important to know! A young plant needs to remove some of its leaves. Such manipulations help to increase the number of buds and the abundance of primrose flowering.

Every 2 years, a layer of soil 2 cm thick is poured under the flower. After 3 years of growth, the primrose should be replanted. For the winter, the plants are covered with a dense ball of dry leaves.

During the growth of primrose, perennial garden primroses are exposed to the following diseases and problems:

• Damage by aphids, fleas, spider mites, slugs, nematodes;
• Rust;
• Bacterial spotting;
• Rot;
• Powdery mildew;
• Anthracnose;
• Spotted wilt;
• Cucumber mosaic.

If these problems are detected, it is necessary to apply spraying, soil replenishment special drugs and other substances that help eliminate disease and pest damage.

Garden primrose in landscape design in the photo

There are many types and varieties of primroses, thanks to which you can plant unusual bright compositions of these flowers, which will delight the eye with the splendor of shades and shapes with early spring until the end of summer. Primroses are used very often in landscape design; these beautiful flowers will decorate any area beyond recognition.

Compositions of several types of primroses with low daffodils, tulips, irises, phlox, soapwort and, which can replace primrose, look amazing. Such color combinations are ideal for decorating or stone slides.

For lovers of simplicity and ease in landscape design, it is recommended to plant flower beds or plots with one or several varieties of primroses of the same shade. Such compositions form a continuous bright carpet that attracts the eye and will not leave anyone indifferent.

Very often primroses of a certain or different types planted along stone paths in the garden. Compositions of primrose with other flowers look quite impressive for this purpose.

The best will be compositions of Alpine and Sikkimese primroses planted around it. This design solution will add a special flavor to the appearance of the site as a whole.

Primrose bushes planted in corners or along fences will complement the overall atmosphere of the site and make its design unusual and complete.

Borders made of primroses and cyclamens

Primroses are often planted in decorative containers, garden vases or hanging pots to decorate your home and the entire surrounding area. Such compositions can be used for camouflage small parts or defects in site design.

Primrose is one of the most beloved and revered plants among gardeners. With the help of compositions of different types and varieties of these flowers, you can transform a garden, flower bed, lawn, and even the building itself beyond recognition. The advantage of this plant is its unpretentiousness in cultivation and the variety of shapes and shades of individual varieties, as well as the opportunity to admire the flowering plant for as long as possible.

How to sow primrose in winter

Video consultation from the Garden World channel: the nuances of seed propagation of primrose.

Primrose- one of the most popular and favorite plants among our flower growers. In nature, these flowers can be found almost throughout the Eurasian continent in temperate latitudes, in humid areas of the highlands.

But, like all plants, primrose has the ability to adapt to other growing conditions, which is why it has been successfully cultivated by gardeners around the world, including Russia, for centuries.

Description of primrose

Primrose primrose- one of the most diverse and widespread early flowering plants. There are up to 550 species in total. Most often it is a perennial, herbaceous or semi-shrub crop, but both annual and biennial primroses are also found.

The underground part of the primrose is a rhizome with roots. The leaves are always collected in a small basal rosette, but they can take on a variety of shapes - lanceolate, oblong-oval, oval.

Considering species diversity primrose leaves may have an uneven surface or a dense, leathery texture. The leaves can live either only one season, dying off after the first frost, or overwinter under snow cover and come to life for the new season.

Primrose flowers have a tubular structure with bipartite or solid petals.

Primrose color have the most variety, there are single-colored, two-colored and tricolored plants. Terry primroses have been bred by breeders. Often the flowers have an eye. A peduncle without leaves produces one or more flowers collected in spherical, umbrella-shaped or pyramidal inflorescences.

Primrose gives fruits in the form of seed boxes. The seeds in boxes are small, dark brown, cylindrical or spherical shape. Flowering period is spring. There are species that bloom in summer.

Useful properties of primrose

Even the ancient Greeks valued medicinal properties of primrose (primrose), and this is not surprising. The root system of this plant is included in the composition of diaphoretic, diuretic and expectorant drugs that help to start the processes of secretion of sputum from the respiratory tract.

Decoctions of primrose roots are used in folk medicine for insomnia, decoctions of leaves are used for vitamin deficiency, neurosis, headaches, tinctures for the treatment of gout, rheumatism, and skin rashes.

The agricultural technology for growing this crop is not that complicated. In this article we want to tell you about how to grow primrose in open ground and in the garden. We will not dwell on the description of this family of early flowering ones; you can read about the varieties and types of primroses in.

Growing primrose in open ground

What is the best place to plant primroses?

First of all, you should decide place for planting primroses. Regardless of the variety and place of their natural growth, in our natural conditions, professional flower growers for primroses recommend shaded areas of the garden under deciduous trees (or pears) or shrubs, flower beds and hillocks that are not exposed to the afternoon rays of the sun, and wet coastal areas of reservoirs.

Moisture and soil requirements for planting primroses

Hydration

The soil for primroses should be loose and moisture-absorbing. In other words, primroses should receive a large amount of moisture, but the liquid should not stagnate and waterlog the soil.

IN spring period, in April-May, hydration should be the most intense, because in nature, when the snow melts in the mountains, primroses literally drown in water. Often in our conditions there is little rain at this time, so take care that the primroses do not dry out, otherwise the plants will weaken and lose their decorative qualities.

Helpful advice: Varieties such as Siebold's primrose are best grown by immersing their root system 1-2 cm in water.

The soil

Regardless of where the ancestors of your primrose grew before, in mountain crevices with poor soils, or along mountain streams, or among alpine meadows with rich fertile soils, in garden culture primroses should be provided with loose, well-manured soils - light and clayey. Such soil retains nutrients, is well saturated with moisture and drains fairly quickly.

If your site has heavy clay soil, this drawback can easily be eliminated by adding 1 sq.m. landing area:

• buckets of sand,
• crushed sphagnum moss,
• vermiculite,
• 2 kg or rotted silage.

The easiest way to do this is to remove 20 cm of the top layer of soil on the site and replace it with a suitable nutrient mixture. A year later, in the fall, it will be sufficient to add only mineral potassium-phosphorus fertilizers to such soil.

The disadvantage of light soils is their low nutrient content. Such soils are enriched with:

• 5 kg of old humus,
• 10 kg of leaf (compost) soil,
• 5 kg of old peat,
• 20 g of phosphorus-potassium and 15 g of nitrogen fertilizers

per 1 sq.m of landing area.

Primrose care

These plants do not require special care. The main thing is to provide the necessary amount of moisture and sufficient air flow to the primrose root system. To maintain proper nutrient levels, be sure to regularly get rid of weeds.

Feeding primroses

During the growing season primroses should be fed three times per season potassium-phosphorus fertilizer and regularly organic fertilizer.

• The first application of mineral fertilizers is done in early spring.
• The second time - after 14-21 days.
• The third time was in July.

All this time, do not forget to add slurry to the primrose bushes (mullein, horse or sheep manure), and in the fall you should enrich the place where you grow primroses with a 3 cm layer nutrient substrate to a depth of 15-20 cm.

To preserve moisture, ensure aeration of the root system and prevent abundant germination of weeds, primrose plantings are mulched with a 5cm layer of gravel. In addition, it will serve as an excellent decorative addition to primrose plantings.

Helpful advice: To extend the flowering period of primroses, regularly pick off dried flowers.

Like all plants, primroses tend to grow. After 3-4 years, they can grow so large that they will be forced to crowd each other and bloom poorly. Therefore, in order to provide primroses with normal development conditions and nutritional properties of the substrate, the plant bushes should be divided and planted. It will be better if you not only plant the overgrown bushes, but also move the entire flower garden with primroses to another place.

Perennial plantings of primroses need protective cover on winter period. First of all, it is important to preserve the foliage rosette of primrose until autumn - this is the plant’s natural protection from winter cold.

Helpful advice: The rosette of such varieties of primroses as Japanese, Florinda and Fine-toothed is not retained entirely, only 3-4 leaves are left, this significantly reduces the likelihood of primrose becoming infected with rot of the root collar and leaves, and also allows the plant to form larger and bright flowers to spring.

Mulching for the winter is easiest done at the end of autumn with a 10 cm layer of tree leaves.

Diseases and pests of primroses

Most often primroses are susceptible the following diseases:

• rust,
• rot of the ground part,
• bacterial leaf spot,
• powdery mildew,
• anthracnose,
• jaundice,
• viruses and cucumber mosaic,

From pests Damage often occurs:

• nematodes,
• weevil,
• fleas,
• beetles, etc.

Primroses bring the biggest troubles fungus Ramularia cercosporella . This is evidenced by the appearance in late spring of first pale and then brown spots with a yellow border on the leaves of the plant.

When sporulation of mushrooms begins, and this usually happens in the second half of July, the spots become covered with a whitish coating. This leads to wilting and drying of the leaves, cessation of flowering, and weakening of the plant.

To prevent such situations, regularly inspect the primrose bushes. If you find affected leaves, remove and destroy them. Twice a year, immediately after flowering and in early spring treat the primrose plantings with the following compounds:

• 0.2% topsin, 2% basezol, 1.5% zineb,

• 0.5% copper oxychloride, 1% Bordeaux mixture.

In autumn, primroses should be sprayed with 1% nitrafen.

Interesting to know. Primrose Julia, Common, Spring and Tall primroses are most susceptible to this disease. Primula Ushkovaya, Primula Pink, and Pallas were found to be more resistant to damage by Ramularia cercosporella. Primroses Japanese, Florinda and Fine-toothed do not suffer from this fungus.

Reproduction of primroses

These plants can be propagated vegetatively(dividing the bush, cuttings), and using seeds.

Growing primroses from seeds

Requirements for seeds and substrate

Primroses produce a ripe seed capsule in the second half of summer. But when collecting seed material, one should take into account the fact that Primrose seeds lose their viability very easily. That's why for sowing, take only freshly harvested planting material.

In principle, you can sow primrose at any time of the year, but in the middle zone we recommend that you do this from the end of February. Try to find the most suitable day for this using. This way you will achieve better germination of seedlings and their normal development.

If you are planning to sow primroses at your summer cottage in open ground, then wait until the snow melts and prepare boxes or containers for sowing, digging them into the ground. This way you will reduce the likelihood of losing seedlings. At the same time, you will have to constantly ensure that the soil in the containers does not dry out, is not washed away by rainfall, and is not damaged by various pets.

You can plant primroses in a similar way in the summer immediately after the seed pods ripen, but then, to ensure normal seed germination during periods of summer drought, you will need a larger amount of planting material. Some gardeners sow primroses at the end of autumn. But the highest percentage of germination at seed propagation primrose gives in spring.

Containers for sowing

The most suitable for this are mini-greenhouses or containers with drainage holes at the bottom, with plastic, transparent lids. But you can use for these purposes any suitable container that allows you to set up a mini-greenhouse for seeds. You can even take an ordinary plastic food container with drainage holes drilled in the bottom.

Substrate for sowing

For most varieties of primrose, it is best to take a substrate, consisting of:

• 1/4 turf land,
• 1/2 leaf humus,
• 1/4 sand.

You can use ready-made flower soil, which is sold in stores. Just add 20-50% vermiculite and perlite or sphagnum moss if these components are not part of the mixture.

Fill the containers with the prepared substrate. It is possible, in the case of small Auricula seeds, to make a thin top layer of perlite. The soil should be slightly moistened with a spray bottle.

Sowing primrose seeds

These plants are sown on the soil surface at the rate of 5 grains per 1 sq. cm of sown area. This can be done using a napkin on which the seeds are poured, or using a toothpick, having first moistened its tip with water. The seeds need to be lightly pressed into the ground.

What is cold start and why is it needed?

In nature, many species of wild primroses grow at the base of glaciers. Therefore, in order to produce friendly shoots, the seeds of such varieties of primroses as Pink, Florinda, Japanese, Siebold, Vysokaya and Opuschenaya need cold start. This means that immediately after sowing, the containers are placed in the freezer (up to -10 degrees) or covered with snow for 3-4 weeks.

Primroses of Siebold and Vysoky after cold start should be germinated in dark room until sprouts appear. We do not recommend that amateur flower growers engage in such varieties of primroses; leave this to experienced breeders. But hybrid varieties do not need such a procedure.

Germination of seedlings

Before sprouts appear, direct sunlight does not pose any particular problems for greenhouses. But as soon as you notice the first shoots, be sure to take care of shading primroses and regularly moistening the soil using a spray bottle or syringe without a needle. Just don’t overdo it with watering, otherwise the seedlings will start to rot very quickly!

You should also begin to gradually acclimatization of sprouts. This means that it is necessary to periodically ventilate the greenhouses, slowly increasing the time period of ventilation until the seedlings grow and 2 fully formed leaves appear on them. Then you can remove the transparent protective cover or film from the containers. During the period of intensive seedling growth, the frequency of watering is increased.

Note. In order to sprout, primroses planted in the fall will need 14-18 weeks, and seeds sown in the spring, only a month.

Diving seedlings

It is advisable to do the picking 2 or 3 times. After 3 full leaves appear on the young plants, they should be planted. It makes sense to plant crops that are too dense and earlier in order to give them all the opportunity to develop normally. In this case, it is better to do this procedure using tweezers so as not to damage the delicate, fragile plant.

Make a pick every time the seedlings grow strongly.

Seedlings can be transplanted directly into the soil of the greenhouse, or into specially prepared boxes, and small varieties plant at a distance of 15 cm from each other, the distance between large primroses is up to 30 cm. At the same time, try to ensure that there are no leaves between the leaves of neighboring primroses free space, this is unfavorable for them.

To a permanent place of growth Primroses are planted only in the second year of life in spring or autumn. Plants usually show their decorative properties in the third year of life.

How to save seed

In case of unfavorable weather conditions in winter, your primroses may freeze or dry out. To ensure that there are no empty spaces left in the flower garden, you should always have a supply of fresh seeds from last year’s harvest. These seeds are stored mixed with sand in the refrigerator or basement.

Reproduction of primroses by dividing the bush

You can start this procedure no earlier than after 3-5 years of growing primroses- early spring, or from the second half of July. Try not to plant primroses later than the first half of September, otherwise the plants that have not yet matured may freeze and lose their decorative qualities or even die.

It is important to know. Plant primroses that bloom in summer in spring.

In order to plant a plant, water it abundantly, carefully dig it up, carefully shake off the clod of earth from the roots and wash the roots in water. This will make it much more convenient for you to divide the bushes and at the same time injure the plant as little as possible.

Then the bush is divided into arbitrary parts with a knife, but it should be taken into account that the divisions must contain at least one renewal bud. The sections must be processed, then as quickly as possible, without allowing them to dry out, the cuttings must be planted in a new place. After the plants are planted in the ground, they should be watered and preferably provided with a label with the name of the variety and the date of propagation.

It will be better if you plant the divisions in such a way that there is no free space between the foliage of the rosettes, so the plants can protect themselves from drying out. For 2 weeks, seedlings need daily watering. In case of propagation in autumn, do not forget to carry out protective mulching for the winter.

Reproduction by cuttings

Reproduction of primroses by cuttings carried out using a technology similar to propagation by dividing a bush. But not all types of primroses can be propagated in this way.

Auricula Propagated by rooting leaf cuttings. To do this, in the fall, several leaves are separated from the rosette and planted in a greenhouse, while the cuttings should take root in 2-3 weeks. In spring, the plants are transplanted into open ground to a permanent location.

Toothed primrose easily propagated by root cuttings. The largest plants, from which several large thick roots are separated, are suitable for this procedure. In order for the root to form buds, make a longitudinal cut up to one and a half cm in its upper part. After this, the cuttings should be planted in light soil 3 cm deep. Next, we proceed as described above about leaf cuttings.

You can find out here.

Primrose in garden design in photographs

border along garden path from primroses

Primrose in a flowerbed with daffodils

Flowerbed with primroses

Plant common primrose (lat. Primula vulgaris), or common primrose- a herbaceous perennial from the genus Primrose. Under natural conditions, primrose grows in Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. Primrose has been known since time immemorial - the ancient Greeks considered it the medicinal flower of Olympus and called it “dodecatheon” - the flower of the twelve gods. Primrose is one of the first spring flowers, popularly called “rams” or “keys”. The Old Norse saga tells that primrose flowers are the keys of the fertility goddess Freya, with which she opens spring. And the Germans believe that primrose is the key to marriage. The Celts and Gauls included primrose in their love potion.

There is a Danish legend that an elven princess who fell in love with a mortal became a primrose, and the ancient Greeks came up with a myth in which, out of compassion, the gods turned the body of the young man Paralysos, who died of love, into a fragrant primrose, and now this flower cures all ailments, including and for paralysis - it is not without reason that in folk medicine the flower is called a paralysis herb. The cultivation of primrose in Europe began in the 16th century; it has always been a popular flower in England - in this country there are several clubs for lovers of primrose auricula. Sometimes the addiction weakened, but then it was revived with renewed vigor. Currently, primrose exhibitions are held annually in England, and every time there is something to see - the blooming primrose is an amazing sight.

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• Landing: sowing self-collected seeds into boxes dug into the ground - immediately after collection. Sowing purchased seeds for seedlings - in early February, transplanting seedlings into open ground - at the end of May after two years or in the fall in the second year of life.
• Bloom: in spring or summer - depending on the type and variety.
• Lighting: depending on the type and variety - in bright sun or in the shade of trees and shrubs.
• The soil: moist, loose, light, moisture-intensive nutrient soils.
• Watering: The soil in the flowerbed should be slightly moist at all times. In hot weather you will have to water more often. Water consumption – 3 liters per m² of area.
• Feeding: mineral fertilizers with a reduced nitrogen component in half the dosage specified by the manufacturers weekly from the moment the leaves appear until the end of flowering.
• Reproduction: seeds, leaf cuttings and dividing the bush.
• Pests: beetles and slugs.
• Diseases: bacterial spot, anthracnose, jaundice, rust, powdery mildew, cucumber mosaic virus, stem and root collar rot.

Read more about growing primrose below.

Primrose flower - description

The genus Primrose is one of the most numerous in the world flora; according to various sources, it numbers from 400 to 550 species, but plants of this genus are still found in nature, not described by scientists. 33 species grow in Europe, 2 in North America, one species on the island of Java, several in South America and Africa, and the remaining three hundred-plus species of primrose grow in Asia, Western China and the Himalayas. Primrose chooses damp places - in meadows, along the banks of streams and mountain rivers.

The underground part of the primrose is a rhizome with roots. The basal leaf rosette consists of dissected or simple, sessile or petiolate oblong oval lanceolate leaves. In some species the leaves are wrinkled, in others they are leathery, dense, grayish-green in color, as if covered with wax. Primrose flowers on long leafless peduncles are single or collected in pyramidal, spherical, cushion-shaped, tiered, bell-shaped or umbrella-shaped inflorescences. They have a tubular shape with a bend - flat or funnel-shaped. The primrose fruit is a cylindrical or spherical polysperm.

Perennial and annual garden primrose is grown in culture; primrose is also cultivated at home.

Growing primrose from seeds

Sowing primrose seeds

Primrose seeds lose their viability very quickly, so it is best to sow the seeds immediately after collecting them in boxes placed in the ground. If you bought high-quality seeds and do not want to risk them, then planting primrose seeds for seedlings is carried out in early February on the surface of a substrate consisting of two parts of leaf soil, one part of sand and one part of turf soil. There should be no more than 5 seeds per 1 cm² of substrate, which are not buried, but simply pressed to the surface. The container with the crops is placed in a plastic bag and placed in the freezer for 3-4 weeks at a temperature no higher than -10 ºC.

After a month, the frozen crops are transferred in bags to the windowsill, shaded from direct rays, and wait for germination, keeping the soil slightly moist. The optimal temperature for seed germination is 16-18 ºC. Not all types of primroses need stratification - for example, common primrose and fine-toothed primrose germinate without freezing. When seedlings begin to appear, and primrose seeds are usually in no hurry to germinate, the bags are gradually opened slightly, accustoming the seedlings to the air, and after two weeks the bags are removed completely.

Primrose seedlings

Primrose seedlings grow very slowly. After the appearance of two or three true leaves, the seedlings are dived into boxes using tweezers and continue to care for them, moistening the soil as necessary. You need to pick up seedlings every time they grow strongly. Primrose is grown from seeds before planting in open ground for two years.

Planting primrose

When to plant primrose

Planting perennial primrose in open ground is carried out in spring or autumn in the second year of life. If you decide to plant primrose in the spring, then do it at the end of May. Primrose grows best in open ground in the shade of garden trees and shrubs, where direct sunlight does not penetrate. Only alpine species Primroses in the northern regions are planted in open sun. The soil for primrose is preferably moisture-absorbing, loose, light and well-drained, in which moisture will not stagnate for a long time.

Primrose grows well in clay soil. Too heavy clay soil can be made lighter by adding a bucket of sand, 2 kg of manure, vermiculite and chopped sphagnum moss per 1 m² of digging area.

How to plant primrose

Small types of primrose are planted at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other, and large ones - at 20-30 cm. When planting, keep in mind that primrose does not like open spaces, so plant the seedlings in such a way that when the plants grow, the plantings will be closed. Primrose blooms from seeds in the second or third year of life.

Caring for primrose in the garden

How to grow primrose

Planting and caring for primrose in open ground usually occurs without any difficulties. How to care for primrose planted in open ground? Keep the soil in your primrose flower bed slightly moist, loose and clean - after weekly heavy watering, be sure to loosen the soil and remove weeds. In hot weather, the frequency of watering will have to be doubled. Water consumption in one session is approximately three liters per m².

Caring for perennial primrose involves frequent feeding of the flower with a weak solution of complex mineral fertilizers - the concentration should be half as much as the instructions provide, and the frequency of application should be weekly from the moment the first leaves appear until the end of flowering. However, you should not overuse the nitrogen component of complex fertilizers, because next year you will expect flowers, but will only see lush greenery. To prevent this from happening, apply only phosphorus and potassium fertilizers every other time.

Primrose transplant

Caring for and growing primrose involves replanting the plant simultaneously with dividing the bush every 4-5 years, since primrose tends to grow strongly. Read about how and when to replant primrose in the next section.

Primrose propagation

In addition to the seed method, primrose is used for propagation bush division and leaf cuttings. In the fourth or fifth year, in August or the first half of September, the overgrown primrose bushes are watered, dug up, the soil is shaken off from their roots, then the roots are washed in a bucket, the plant is divided into several parts with a knife with at least one renewal point on each, the sections are sprinkled with ash and then the cuttings are planted in a new place. After planting, the primrose is watered. Dividing the bush not only rejuvenates the plant, but also provides free planting material in which you can be completely confident.

If a plant has a weak root system or only one rosette, then it is propagated by axillary shoots. The primrose leaf with the petiole, bud and part of the shoot is separated and planted in the soil mixture, having previously cut the leaf blade in half. Keep the cuttings in a bright place, but protected from direct sunlight, at a temperature of 16-18 ºC in a moderately moist substrate. When the buds produce shoots with three to four leaves, they are planted in pots with a diameter of 7-9 cm, and in the spring they are transferred to open ground.

Pests and diseases of primrose

Primrose in the garden is affected by root collar and stem rot, jaundice, bacterial spot, rust, anthracnose, powdery mildew and cucumber mosaic virus. As soon as you notice modified leaves, destroy them immediately.

Among the pests that pose a danger to the plant are various nematodes and aphids, spider mites and weevils, as well as beetles, slugs and fleas. It is better to fight diseases by treating primrose in spring time a two percent solution of Topsin or Fundazol, one percent Bordeaux mixture or copper oxychloride, and in the fall, preventive treatment with a one percent solution of Nitrafen is advisable. Beetles and slugs will have to be collected by hand, mites are destroyed by treatment with Actellik, and nematodes are killed by Ragor.

Perennial primrose after flowering

Primrose in autumn

After the primrose has bloomed, loosen the soil in the area, clear it of weeds and leave the primrose alone until winter - at this time its leaves begin to grow. It is very important that the leaf rosette is preserved until late autumn, since it will serve as a natural shelter for the plant. If you cut off the leaves in the fall, the primrose will begin to shrink, its flowering will weaken, and it will lose its decorative effect. But when spring begins, it is better to remove old, overwintered primrose leaves.

Garden primrose in winter

In areas with cold winters, primroses require covering with dry leaves, straw or spruce branches, and the covering layer should be at least 7-10 cm. There are types of primrose that do not need shelter, for example, Julia's primrose. In areas with warm, snowy winters, primrose does not need to be covered - snow cover will be enough. However, with the onset of spring, watch how the snow melts - the primrose should not dry out under the ice crust. Break the crust and let the water drain freely.

Types and varieties of primrose

As already mentioned, there are so many primroses in nature that botanists had to divide them into 30 sections. There are also plenty of species, varieties and hybrids in culture. They can be described endlessly. We will introduce you to the most common cultivated species and their most popular varieties.

Stemless primrose, or common primrose (Primula vulgaris)

In nature, it grows in Southern and Central Europe on the edges of forests, in alpine meadows near melting snow. This species has a short rhizome with thick cord-like roots. Lanceolate leaves up to 6 cm wide and up to 25 cm long are partially preserved during the winter. Light yellow or white with a purple throat, single flowers open on short peduncles 6 to 20 cm high, their wide petals are divided into two lobes.

Despite the fact that it was called ordinary, the stemless primrose is very beautiful and during flowering its bush looks like a bouquet. Flowering can begin in March, sometimes this species blooms again in September. In culture since the 16th century. Varieties:

• Virginia– white flowers with a pale yellow throat;
• Giga White– white primrose;
• Cerulea- blue flowers with a yellow throat.

Primula elatior

Grows in the Carpathians, in the middle and southern parts Western Europe. This is a perennial with wrinkled oval leaves, finely toothed along the edges, from 5 to 20 cm long and 2 to 7 cm wide, which sharply taper towards the petiole. On the upper side of the leaf the veins are depressed, and on the lower side they protrude. Light yellow with a bright yellow spot at the base of the petals, fragrant flowers up to 2 cm in diameter are collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences of 5-15 pieces. The barely pubescent peduncle reaches a height of 10 to 35 cm.

High primrose blooms profusely from April for 50-60 days. There are hybrids with larger flowers of lilac, white, cream, red, yellow - plain, with an eye or bordered. Varieties:

• Duplex– cherry flowers up to 2.5 cm in diameter with a dark yellow throat;
• Rosea– dark pink flowers with a yellow eye;
• Gelle Farben– light purple flowers with a diameter of 3.5 cm with a yellow throat;
• Goldgrand– brown flowers with a golden border and a yellow throat, diameter 2.5 cm.

There are groups of hybrids based on tall primrose with large flowers and long peduncles, attractive for growing as cut flowers. Among them are terry primrose Curiosity of a yellow-brown hue, Golden Dream of a bright yellow color, and Olga Menden with flowers of a light red hue.

Siebold's Primula (Primula sieboldii)

It blooms in June with lilac and pink flowers of different shades, collected in loose umbrella-shaped inflorescences. After flowering, the leaves of this ephemeroid die off.

Spring primrose (Primula veris)

Which is often called primrose officinalis, a representative of the European flora. It has wrinkled, ovate leaves up to 20 cm long and up to 6 cm wide, with veins depressed on the upper side and convex on the lower pubescent side. The flowers are yellow with an orange spot at the base of the petals. Garden forms of this species have a rich palette of colors - single-color and two-color simple or double flowers bloom profusely from April to June.

In addition to the described species, primroses Siquim, Bisa, fine-toothed, auricular, Geller, snowy, small, Voronova, Yulia, Komarov, Ruprecht and many, many others are attractive to gardeners.

Properties of primrose

All parts of primrose contain high concentrations of manganese salts. The above-ground parts of the plant are rich in vitamins, the rhizomes are rich in saponins, essential oils and glycosides. Primrose leaves are eaten in salads and added to stir-fries and soups. Due to their high content of ascorbic acid and carotene in the spring, during vitamin deficiency, they support the body.

Not only fresh, but also dried roots and leaves of primrose, ground into powder, are eaten. As a medicine, primrose is used for expectoration in diseases of the respiratory tract - a medicinal infusion is made from the rhizomes, and a decoction is made from the leaves. Primrose is used for pain relief for rheumatism and as a diuretic for kidney and bladder diseases.

An infusion of leaves helps with colds, sore throats, headaches, neuroses and insomnia, and an infusion of roots is used to resolve external hemorrhages. All parts of primrose are a component of various medicinal mixtures and teas. A contraindication for use may be individual intolerance to primrose.

Should be used with caution medications from a plant to early stages pregnancy.

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Primrose is a member of the primrose family, which includes almost five hundred species. It grows mainly in the Alps, and in smaller quantities in temperate zones around the world. Primrose received this name because of its early flowering - it occurs almost immediately after the snow melts.

Representatives of the genus can be either annual or perennial; they are easily recognized by the bright color of their flowers and their appearance. As for indoor primrose specifically (and this article is dedicated to its cultivation), this is an ordinary species that is grown in flowerpots mainly because of its delicate and beautiful flowers.

The main differences include short growth and green foliage collected in a rosette. The leaves themselves are heart-shaped, grow on long petioles and have jagged edges. The flowers are collected in inflorescences that are shaped like panicles. Indoor primrose is especially popular in home gardening due to its bright color and variety of flowers, as well as long-lasting flowering.

Note! Those flowers that are planted in open ground, do not cause such a reaction.

After flowering, the plants are planted in a flower bed. If the climate is warm, then they can easily spend the winter in an area where they will delight with their blooming splendor for several years.

Garden primrose - an early flower of spring flower beds

Video - Biological features of primrose

Indoor primrose: cultivation and care

There are two ways to grow a flower:

• from seeds;
• by dividing the bush.

Let's look at the features of each method in more detail.

Method one. Growing primrose from seeds

For planting, you can use either ready-made purchased seeds or collected ones yourself. The main conditions for the normal development of this plant include providing cool temperatures during wintering, lighting to extend daylight hours, and maintaining sufficient humidity. Actually, these are all the conditions. And if you add care to your knowledge, as well as the instructions and tips given below, you are guaranteed to get an excellent result.

Step one. If you are using seeds that you collected yourself, first pickle them. To do this, place the selected grains in hot water for 15-20 minutes, then in cold water for a few more minutes. After this, dry them thoroughly. If the seeds are “store-bought”, then they do not need to be treated, since the manufacturer has already taken care of this.

Step two. Take small pots, pour soil into them and water it well. It is important that the soil temperature is at room temperature. Then spread the grains over the surface.

An example of sowing primrose in the snow

Step three. Spray the surface of the soil with water using a spray bottle (boil and cool the water first).

Step four. Cover the pots with film, then place them in the refrigerator to germinate. Yes, exactly in the refrigerator, and the best place for primrose will be the vegetable shelves.

Step five. Check the crops every week and be sure to ventilate them.

Step six. As soon as the seeds germinate, move the containers with them to the windowsill, and then place a lamp over them.

Step seven. Ventilate the sprouts for fifteen minutes every day. After a week, increase the ventilation time (the plants should get used to normal air), and soon you can remove the film altogether.

Note! When planting, some gardeners sprinkle a layer of snow on the ground (you can take it from the freezer), and sprinkle the seeds on top of it. In this case, the snow should be slightly compacted after sowing.

Step eight. A month after the first shoots appear, carry out a dive, that is, transplant into individual pots. This is one of the most important stages of growing primrose. Upon completion of replanting, begin applying complex fertilizer during watering.

Step eight. In about two months, buds will appear, and after some time the flowering period will begin. This, by the way, can happen in hot July weather.

Note! Seeds can be grown not only in soil, but also in a damp sponge or, alternatively, on a moistened cotton pad.

More details about the landing procedure can be found in the thematic video below.

Video - Sowing primrose seeds at home

Method two. Vegetative cultivation

As noted earlier, primrose can also be grown using layering. To do this, cut off the side shoots in early spring, and then plant them in containers filled with moistened sand. Cover the containers with PET film or a piece of glass. When the cuttings have completely taken root, you can transplant them into pots.

To obtain branches, first cover adult plants with moss. When roots form, separate them and transplant them into separate containers. Regardless of the chosen method, growing this flower in almost all cases gives a positive result, and rooted specimens easily take root in the ground.

From March to the end of October, flowers should be on fresh air- for example, on the balcony - but from autumn to March - in the house on the windowsill. When the plants bloom, you can place them indoors anywhere. convenient location. Relocation of plants is tolerated with ease, no noticeable losses are observed. Neither flowers nor plants in general suffer from this, because they are immune to changes in the light source or temperature conditions. Primrose indoor blooms twice a year, but so that it does not lose its strength, periodically remove fading flowers.

Features of further care

In terms of care, primrose is not too fastidious, but when it blooms (both in February and November) you should help extend this period. To ensure flowering lasts from February to July, place the pots outdoors in March (for example, on a well-lit balcony). Flowering begins in November and usually lasts until January.

Water deeply, especially flowering and actively growing plants. Although primrose tolerates complete drying out quite well. Yes, the leaves will wither, but the plant will recover almost immediately after watering. At the end of the flowering period, a dormant period begins, during which almost no new leaves grow, but the old ones do not fall off.

Perform the transplant every year in February - it is in this month that awakening begins. To do this, remove the plant from the pot, carefully shake off the old soil (you can use a toothpick) and place it in the same container, but with new soil. If you do not remove it, you will soon notice that a new one is growing next to the main flower, but in reality it is the same primrose. Therefore, when replanting, separate the young shoots that have four leaves, sprinkle the cuts with charcoal and dry the plants a little. Then plant them in small pots and place them in a greenhouse where they will take root. Between waterings, provide periods of slight drying, since even the slightest waterlogging can cause rotting of the root system.

Note! Primrose should be replanted after purchase using the same technology, thanks to which it will be possible to propagate the plant without using seeds. Watering in the first weeks after transplantation should be limited, and fertilizing should not be used.

When summer comes, you can hide pots of flowers in the shade of taller plants. In winter, place them in a shaded corner of the window sill as close to the glass as possible. The completion of the rest period is manifested in the formation of young leaves. Then the oldest - lower - foliage begins to turn yellow, so carefully cut it off closer to the rosette using sharp scissors. The indoor primrose itself does not look very attractive at this time, but everything will get better soon.

To help the flowers “wake up”, move them to a lighted place (for example, under a lamp, on the illuminated side of the house, etc.). At the same time, increase the intensity of watering; after another ten days, fertilizer will be required. We also note that primrose is almost not susceptible to diseases and pests (more on this a little later), and the only condition for successful development remains proper watering. And if you overwater the flowers, especially if they are dormant, the roots may soon begin to rot, and the plant itself will die in almost a few days. As for other troubles, primrose survives them relatively steadfastly; moreover, if the causes of mistakes are eliminated, then she is able to quickly recover.

Note! After working with indoor primrose, wash your hands thoroughly, because direct contact with the leaves of this plant can cause skin irritation. And if you have sensitive skin, it is better to use rubber gloves for work.

Temperature

When growing indoor primrose, keep it cool (temperature should vary between 16-20 degrees). During the flowering period, the temperature should be slightly lower - no more than 16 degrees (this will last for an extremely long time). If the apartment/house has old windows, you can place flower pots between the frames.

The main problems that you may encounter during the growing process

While caring for your primrose, you may notice some defects or irregularities that may indicate disease, exposure to pests or other unpleasant factors.

Table. Pests and diseases of the crop

Signs	Possible causes of the phenomenon
	This happens for various reasons, including: Fever; Prolonged waterlogging of the soil; Dry air; Using non-soft water for irrigation; Excessive feeding. By the way, for the same reasons, the root system may turn brown.
	This may occur due to too warm/dry air or a lack of moisture in the soil.
	To avoid this, when watering, try to keep moisture away from the leaves and in the room used for growing. high humidity air. It is also important to allow the surface of the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
	A similar phenomenon is observed if during the flowering period the air temperature exceeds 16 degrees.
	This indicates damage by harmful insects, whose attention was attracted by the bright flowers of the primrose.

We also note that with improper care (namely, in dry air), the plant can be infested by aphids and spider mite. For treatment it is necessary to carry out chemical treatment. drugs (for example, "Karbofos").

As a result, we note that many experienced flower growers recommend keeping one specimen from different varieties of primrose for yourself, and giving the rest as a gift to loved ones. It is believed that this will definitely bring happiness, and such signs, as you know, do not lie!

Video - Indoor primrose: requirements for cultivation and care