Scientific Name
Primula elatior (L.) Hill
Synonym(s)
Primula elatior subsp. elatior, Primula veris var. elatior
Common Name(s)
Oxlip, True Oxlip, Great Cowslip, Bardfield Oxlip
Scientific Classification
Family: Primulaceae
Subfamily: Primuloideae
Genus: Primula
Origin
Primula elatior is native to nutrient-poor, calcium-rich damp woods and meadows throughout Europe, with northern borders in Denmark and southern Sweden, eastwards to the Altai Mountains, and on the Kola Peninsula in Russia. In the British Isles, it is rarely seen outside East Anglia.
Flower
Color: Light yellow
Bloom Time: Spring
Description
Primula elatior is a herbaceous perennial plant that grows up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall and up to 10 inches (25 cm) wide. It forms rosettes of green, up to 6 inches (15 cm) long and up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) wide leaves.
The flowers are light yellow and appear in spring in clusters of 10 to 30 on a single stem up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall.
Cultivars of Primula elatior
How to Grow and Care for Primula elatior
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zone 3a to 7b: from -40°F (-40°C) to 10°F (-12.2°C).
Potted indoor Primulas are a delightful way to usher out winter or welcome in the spring. They are available in a wide range of striking colors, forming a mass of flowers. Most people prefer the taller, upright, delicate Primulas indoors, but even a pot of common Primula is a nice addition. Extend the flowering season by pinching off dying buds. After the plant has finished blooming, consider moving it outside. While inside, do not overwater; wilting, even when the plant is getting water, is a sign of root rot.
It's unlikely you'll need to repot your Primula. If you do, make sure not to bury them too deep—it's a prime reason Primula plants succumb. Bury the plants so that the top of the root ball is slightly above the surrounding soil. Never pile soil up around the stem of a flowering plant.
They are propagated from seeds, which are sown directly in soil or potting media. Most pots of indoor Primula are purchased as flowering plants, destined to be set atop a desk, sill, or table until they're done flowering.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Primula.
Links
- Back to genus Primula
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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