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How To Plant Cowslip Primrose?

Cowslip primrose is a pretty, old fashioned plant that has a long history, both with gardeners and herbalists and cooks. There are a great many uses for this plant! If you have been wondering how to plant cowslip primrose then wonder no more – we have all the information you will need.

How To Plant Cowslip Primrose

how to plant cowslip primrose

These hardy native plants don’t need a lot of encouragement in order to grow – they are pretty good at it!

You can either grow them from seed, or you can grow them from cuttings and root division – either way will work, though root division tend to work faster.

From seed:

  1. Sow the seeds in late winter – you don’t have to worry too much about them getting cold, but you can cover them with plastic to keep the warm in if you like.
  2. The seeds should be planted in potting compost and you shouldn’t expect to see any signs of life until the spring is underway.
  3. Some people swear by putting the seeds in the fridge before sowing them – these plants need a period of cold to encourage them to germinate.
  4. Once the young plants are established, plant them out in their “forever” bed and water well until they are established.

From root division:

  1. Only take cutting from a well established plant, for the best results and to ensure that the existing plant doesn’t suffer decline.
  2. Dig up the plant carefully and separate the root ball into sections, taking care not to damage the roots.
  3. Place your new root cuttings into some good, rich potting mix and water well.
  4. It won’t take long before you notice your new plant growing and thriving, but remember to take care of it at first.

Planting cowslip primrose is pretty easy, once you know how, and this little plant will reward you with new vigorous growth pretty quickly!

What Does A Cowslip Need To Grow?

As we know, all plants need soil, light, warmth and nutrients in order to grow – but what does a cowslip need, specifically?

  • Partial shade. This little plant likes plenty of sunlight, but it’s happiest when it has a bit of shade.
  • Light, sandy soil. Cowslips can grow in sandy or clay soil, unlike many other plants, and they actually thrive!
  • Consistent moisture. These plants like to kept moist – not swimming, but they do like a little more water than many others, especially if the weather is hot.
  • Well rotted manure or compost. Adding nutrients to the soil in the form of compost, mulch or manure is very good for these plants.
  • A wild garden. Because they are adapted to wild conditions, cowslips grow very well in an unmown lawn, or a meadow that is left to nature.

Growing cowslips is easy, and it’s very rewarding to see those little trumpet shaped flowers and pretty green leaves!

This article should tell you everything you need to know about growing cowslip primroses.

Do Cowslips Come Back Each Year?

Do Cowslips Come Back Each Year?

If you have a new plantation of cowslip primroses, you may be feeling sad as winter approaches and the plant looks like its dying…

Don’t panic, however – it will pop right back up in spring! It is a perennial plant, which means it has a period of dormancy in the winter, then reawakens in the spring.

In its natural habitat, cowslips are regularly munched by wild animals, so they are very used to being completely destroyed before they pop back up again.

You don’t have to look after it much in the winter – it is used to cold temperatures, and will keep safely under the soil until the weather warms up.

You can cover or mulch your cowslip patch if you are worried about it – this will help to keep the roots a little warmer.

Mulching also puts nutrients into the soil, so that when your cowslip pops back up again it will  be able to be even stronger!

What Soil Do Cowslips Like?

Cowslips’ favorite soil is the chalky, sandy type. Their favorite natural habitat is chalky boulder clay.

Dense, heavy, chalky soil is unsuitable for many plants as their roots can’t get through it, so it’s great to have a plant that likes it!

Cowslips are less fussy than some types of wildflower, but without this type of soil then they will really struggle to grow well.

If your soil is fine and loose, it may not be suitable for growing cowslips – but don’t worry, there are plenty of things you can add to your soil to make it chalkier.

Here is a little video that shows you how to add essential calcium to your soil, and make it more suitable for cowslips:

What To Do With Cowslips After Flowering?

You don’t actually HAVE to do anything with your cowslips after they have finished flowering (I can hear the sighs of relief from here!)

  • You can deadhead the flowers if you want to; removing the old, spent blooms can encourage a further growth of flowers.
  • If you do deadhead all the flowers however, you won’t get any seeds from that particular flower head.
  • You can pick the stems and dry them out to make dried flower arrangements, or use them in crafty projects.
  • If you simply leave your cowslip alone after it has flowered, it will continue its life cycle and produce seeds before going dormant for the winter.

Cowslips are pretty self sufficient, so you don’t actually have to make too much effort to encourage a beautiful patch of them to enjoy for years to come.

Getting these sweet little flowers to grow in your garden shouldn’t take too much effort, and they will be a welcome addition – especially for pollinators.

Once they are well established you shouldn’t have to make too much effort to keep them coming back, which makes them a great plant for a lazy gardener like me!

Cowslip Key Facts

NameCowslip
Scientific NamePrimula Veris
FamilyPrimulaceae
Light RequirementsFull sun to light shade
Soil RequirementsDry chalky soil
Temperature RequirementsOver 10 degrees C
Water RequirementsKeep well watered
Fertilizer RequirementsNone required – can grow in poor soil happily
Bloom TimeApril – May
PestsAphids
Size10 inches tall

2 thoughts on “How To Plant Cowslip Primrose?”

    • You can use the flowers to decorate a salad, and you can throw in the leaves too – they have a slightly bitter taste but work well with a good salad dressing. Cowslips are more often used in herbal remedies, though there is no scientific evidence backing up their efficacy.

      Reply

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