Have you ever wanted to live on Primrose Lane? Instead of changing your address, you may just want to grow these interesting and beautiful flowers
The colorful, durable primrose appeals to many gardeners, and Janeal Kallas of Lindon is no exception. She describes herself as "someone who wants to know everything and try everything associated with gardening."Kallas took the Utah State University Extension Service master gardening program in 1992 and never stopped trying to grow all kinds of new plants.
"I made my husband buy a new place with five acres of ground," Kallas says, "and I am experimenting with everything."
Kallas recently made a presentation in which she shared information about the primrose. By her own admission she made the presentation not because she is an expert on these plants, but because she wanted to know more about them.
According to Kallas, primroses are members of the genus primula . The name comes from "primus," which means "first," and "rosa," meaning "rose." Therefore, the translation is "first rose." Although the plant is not a member of the rose family, it is one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring.
The plants were first mentioned by Dioscorides in 50 A.D. Their first mention of the plant's cultivation was in 1591 in Gerard's Herbal, and they were listed for their medicinal value. Primroses have continued to increase in popularity.
Primrose plants are available at garden centers throughout the fall, winter and spring, and they make attractive -- albeit short-lived -- displays on window sills. Usually primroses succumb to the lack of humidity and heat, Kallas says. Because they thrive with cool temperatures and high humidity, the plants can be set in the garden during the fall or early spring. They may need a layer of mulch when winters are harsh, but when they are mild like the one we are having now, primroses need no protection, she says. Drought is a mortal enemy, so keep the plants watered -- even during the winter -- if they are underneath overhangs or if there is no rain or snow.
Summer heat is usually far more devastating than cold weather, so protect the plants by growing them in partial shade. They will grow under some trees and shrubs if the plants' root systems are not too aggressive. Primroses also do well in rock gardens or containers. Keep the soil moist and add organic matter and fertilizer regularly.
The primulas are interesting because most are from the Northern Hemisphere. There are some 600 species, but most are obscure with a small areas of adaptation. One native that grows in high mountain areas is the Parrys' primrose, which emerges as the snow melts in the summer at these high elevations.
Garden primroses are available in a wide range of brilliant, clear colors, with many bloom configurations in bright masses atop lush foliage. Most flower in the early or late spring. They are divided into horticultural groups including the Aricula, Candelabra and Polyanthus types. The Auricula type has evergreen rosettes of broad, leathery leaves with gray to green foliage, Kallas says. The candelabra type has several whorls of flowers in tiers on tall sturdy stems. The polyanthus types are evergreen or semi-evergreen types with rosettes of foliage and numerous flowers.
Polyanthus primroses (Primula polyanthus) are often erroneously called English primroses. They are hybrids of different varieties producing large clusters of flowers atop footlong stems. They are available in a large variety of colors and do well in planters. Use these flowers as an accent for bulb gardens or for mass color plantings. Polyanthus primroses will often bloom again in the fall if the plants are cut back to half their size right after the spring bloom.
English primrose (Primula vulgaris) are heavy bloomers, producing two to three single flowers on each stalk, and are available in a wide assortment of colors.
Cowslip primrose (Primula veris) produces one- to two-inch fragrant yellow flowers in clusters atop 6- to 12-inch stems. They are well suited for harsh, cold weather. Cowslips multiply rapidly through self-seeding and should be divided every other year after they have finished blooming.
Japanese primrose (Primula japonica) produce whorls of purple flowers with yellow centers, although white or pink flowers are available. The blossom stalks grow up to 30 inches tall. This variety needs considerable moisture to survive.