Primroses (genus Primula) are an old-fashioned
flower, which was very popular during the reign of
Queen Victoria. Many times they are seen in garden centers in full
bloom in foil wrapped pots. They are often taken into the house where they only live for a short time and then are discarded but they are
perennials, which can be planted outdoors for years of repeated blooms. The are very bright, come in many colors and bloom very early in the
spring. The name primula is derived from the Latin word for “first”, primus and the primrose is derived from the Italian words for “first rose”, prima rosa. Thank you to
Martha Stewart’s research staff!
Primroses are easy to
propagate and most prefer an acid soil plus
shade. These are wonderful attributes for my area (US zone 7) because most of our shade loving
shrubs also like an acid soil. For example,
azaleas,
mountain laurel and
rhododendrons all thrive in acid soil. This makes
mulching the garden with acid leaching
pine needles a free and good looking alternative as it can be easily found by
rustling discarded pine needles before the truck that picks up trash or recycle makes its rounds. It is important to mulch primroses because they can have dirt splashed onto the leaves too easily when watered otherwise. As I will discuss below they must be frequently watered. I think they look a bit like
African violets with clustered flowers. Pine needles hold the floppy leaves up out of the dirt and hold the moisture in.
Primroses do have their more difficult side. They require steady moisture and a soil rich in
organic matter. This is difficult to find in many shady situations due to competition from tree roots.
Raised beds,
irrigation and improving soil with
compost or other organic matter can help. However, it is important not to add too much extra soil over the root zone of established trees or the roots will not be able to get enough oxygen. In many situations where planting is done close to the tree containers are the best solution.
I keep trying to find a way to use the phrase “walking down the primrose path” in this W/U but I can’t so I’ll just share the quote from
Shakespeare's Hamlet.
“Do not, as some ungracious pastors do,
Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven;
Whiles, like a puff’d and reckless libertine,
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads,
And recks not his own rede”
Thanks to
John Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations.
And the definition of "primrose path" from The American Heritage Dictionary:
1. A way of life of worldly ease or pleasure
2. A course of action that seems easy and appropriate but can actually end in calamity.
UK references for pending update:
www.devon.gov.uk/primrose/ secure.html
http://www.penleehouse.org.uk/images/artists/todd-r/primrose-day.jpg
www.borneo.co.uk/primrose/ images/primroselogo.jpg
through page 5 of google image on "primrose UK"