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Primula veris (Cowslip)

Other names: Palsywort, Bedlam cowslip, fairy cup, Galligaskins, Gaskins, Herb Peter, Key flower, Keywort, Lady's bunch of keys, Lady's candlestick, Lady's keys, Lady's seal, Luck flower, Paggles, Paigle, Paiglewort, Paralysis, Petty mullein, Primerole, Primet, St Peter's wort , Primula macrocalyx, Primula montana

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Species
P. veris is a low growing herbaceous perennial plant forming a rosette of leaves and deep yellow flowers in the spring.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
0.2 m 0.2 m 2-5 years
0 ft 0 ft 2-5 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Chalky
  • Clay
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grows best in a sheltered site in sun or partial shade.

Suggested uses

Containers/Patio, Rock, Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Wildflower, Wildlife, Woodland, Meadow

UK hardiness

H5

USDA zones

Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9

Sunset zone

A3, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 15, 16, 17

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Semi-evergreen

Habit

Clump-forming

Native to

Europe, Western Asia

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Fragrance

Sweetly fragrant

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Deadhead if desired to avoid self-seeding.

Propagation methods

Seed, Basal cuttings

Pests

Glasshouse red spider mite

Leaf and bud eelworms

Slugs

Vine weevil

Aphids

Diseases

Grey mould

Leaf spot

Water regularly through dry periods

Plant container grown plants in a sunny sheltered spot

Sow seeds to move into a cold frame later

Take basal cuttings

Plant container grown plants in a sunny postion

Prepare a weed-free, perennial meadow seed bed.

Sow perennial meadow seed in an open, sunny position in spring.

Sow perennial meadow seed in an open, sunny position in autumn.

Water spring-planted perennial meadows in dry periods.

Weed spring-sown perennial meadows in the first year.

Spring cut perennial meadows

Summer cut perennial meadows

Autumn cut perennial meadows

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (0)

Primula

Companion plants (0)

Related content

Discuss Primula veris with other Shoot members

Dividing Primulas in Autumn

Shoot User
1005 0
Good article on reasons for dividing Primulas in Autumn, namely that they do best and need less watering if their roots are deep in the cool ground over summer. Read article here:

http://www.americanprimrosesociety.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29&Itemid=94
Posted: Wednesday 7th of July 2010 09:33 PM Last reply: Saturday 1st of March 2025 04:12 AM

Primula veris

Shoot User
1028 0
Cowslips declined in the last century due to changes in farming practice, but they are now - thankfully - staging something of a recovery and becoming an increasingly common sight. Often it is the garden varieties and crosses that are used. Cowslips provide a valuable early nectar source for bees.
Posted: Wednesday 20th of May 2009 08:39 AM Last reply: Friday 28th of February 2025 12:47 PM
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