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The surprising primrose—30 primrose varieties bloom in biologist-gardener Heli’s garden. Check out these growing tips!

Primroses give Heli's garden a spectacular four-month bloom every year. Each one is important to her, but one favorite is so unusual that it always sells out at her nursery.

Author Heidi Haapalahti

Images Teija Tuisku

May 22, 2025Lue suomeksi

Heli, why do you love primroses?

They’re strongly connected to one of my earliest plant memories. When I was a child, my family traveled to Åland in May, right when every corner was brimming with charming cowslips.

Along with cowslips, many other species also bloom in spring and early summer. Bumblebees love them. Primroses grow in various ways. Some creep low along the ground, while those that flower later in summer tend to be tall and showy. Their colors range from nearly black to pastel shades and bold, bright hues. Many people are drawn to the yellow of cowslips, even if they don't usually like yellow flowers. They’re also easy to care for. Drumstick and creeping primroses are perfect for beginners. In my opinion, only double primroses are tricky because they don’t overwinter well.

Primrose is more versatile than its reputation: Heli Plattonen’s garden is also the display area for her Taimitaivas nursery. — Heli’s garden doubles as the display area for her nursery called ’Taimitaivas’, which means ’seedling heaven’. In spring and early summer, its numerous primroses are at their peak.

Primrose is more versatile than its reputation: to the right of ‘Inga’ creeping primrose is the southern cowslip ‘Silver Lace Purple’. — To the right of the ‘Inga’ creeping primrose is the southern cowslip ‘Silver Lace Purple,’ which has a thin silver edge on its petals.

What kind of growing site do primroses need?

Primroses aren’t very picky about where they grow. Even the supposedly delicate Japanese primrose does quite well in different types of beds. Creeping primrose can get by in shallow soil and poor conditions. A raised bed is safest, because most species dislike winter wet. Generally, primroses thrive in full sun or partial shade. However, I wouldn’t plant a garden primrose in a scorching location, as its evergreen leaves can suffer in harsh sunlight.

Primrose is more versatile than its reputation: the Himalayan primrose ‘Gigas’ blooms early and abundantly. — The Himalayan primrose ‘Gigas’ blooms early and abundantly. It doesn’t do well in dry or waterlogged soil, so the ground must be well-draining yet moist.

Primrose is more versatile than its reputation: the cowslip ‘Sunset Shades’ is a hardy variety. — The cowslip ‘Sunset Shades’ is a hardy variety whose blooms range from red and yellow to orange.

Primrose is more versatile than its reputation: the white drumstick primrose is ‘Weisse Auslese’ and the blue-violet is ‘Blue Selection’. — Drumstick primroses, like many other primroses, are great for pollinators. Here, you can see the white ‘Weisse Auslese’ and the blue-violet ‘Blue Selection.’

Which primrose is your favorite?

Many primrose enthusiasts seem to value species that don’t overwinter well. As for me, all 30 or so that I grow are important in their own way.

The Sichuan primrose (Primula pulverulenta) puts on a truly impressive show in June. Its flower stalks are fairly tall, and the blossom color is a stunning shock pink. The summer primrose ‘Keilour’ is amazing in every way, growing flower stems up to half a meter tall, with colors ranging from fiery red to copper and bright yellow. The southern cowslip ‘Victoriana Gold Lace Black’ is also striking. Its petals mix yellow and black with a white edge. I can see why it sells out here as soon as it’s available.

Primrose is more versatile than its reputation: Sichuan primrose — Sichuan primrose. Photo: Heli Plattonen

Primrose is more versatile than its reputation: summer primrose ‘Keilour’ — Summer primrose ‘Keilour.’ Photo: Heli Plattonen

How do you care for your primroses?

I add lime but hardly any fertilizer. I put compost on the beds in spring if I have time. I divide the plants whenever I need more. My principle is that if a plant can’t make it without winter protection, so be it. The orchid primrose (Primula vialii) has lasted maybe a year or two here before being claimed by the winter, so I don’t bother with it anymore.

How do you propagate them?

Dividing clumps is the easiest way to get more plants, but I also start primroses from seed. Drumstick primroses are easy to propagate and are sown in spring. Some germinate quickly, while others take longer. Many other primroses need cold treatment and germinate more slowly. The most demanding species need warmth, then cold, then warmth again to sprout.

Primrose is more versatile than its reputation: sowing primroses takes patience. Drumstick primroses are among the easiest. — From Heli’s experience, sowing primroses takes patience. She finds drumstick primroses among the easiest, even for beginners.

Primrose is more versatile than its reputation: Heli believes the beautifully flowered primrose is probably a spontaneous hybrid. — Heli believes this primrose with beautiful flowers is likely a spontaneous hybrid. It just appeared on its own.

Primrose is more versatile than its reputation: ‘Schneewittchen’ creeping primrose gradually forms a mat. — ‘Schneewittchen’ creeping primrose gradually spreads into a mat. It reaches a maximum height of about 15 centimeters.

How long can the primrose season last?

By planting many primrose species, you can enjoy their blooms for around four months from spring to early summer. The tufted alpine primrose (Primula hirsuta) is very early, often flowering in my garden as early as April. Summer primrose and orchid primrose are the latest, blooming in July.

What positive qualities of primroses aren’t well known?

Taller primrose species make great cut flowers. I’m an adventurous cook, so I like using primrose blossoms in salads and to decorate cakes and other dishes.

Primrose is more versatile than its reputation: the southern cowslip ‘Wild Form’ and a shorter, spontaneously appeared hybrid. — In front of the pale-yellow ‘Wild Form’ southern cowslip is a shorter primrose that popped up on its own. It’s most likely a spontaneous hybrid.

Primrose—7 charming varieties

1. Cowslip Primula veris

An early native species that thrives in woodland settings and is easy to grow in the garden.

Primrose is more versatile than its reputation: cowslip Primula veris — Primrose

2. Himalayan primrose ‘Gigas’ Primula rosea

In Heli’s opinion, it’s one of the most beautiful primroses, despite growing only 10–20 centimeters tall.

Primrose is more versatile than its reputation: Himalayan primrose ‘Gigas’ Primula rosea

3. Southern cowslip ‘Wild Form’ Primula elatior

According to Heli, the soft yellow hue of the southern cowslip often appeals to gardeners who typically avoid yellow flowers.

Primrose is more versatile than its reputation: southern cowslip ‘Wild Form’ Primula elatior

4. Garden primrose ‘Kaleidoscope’ Primula × pubescens

A beautiful color blend with violet, pink, red, white, and pale yellow flowers.

Primrose is more versatile than its reputation: garden primrose ‘Kaleidoscope’ Primula × pubescens

5. Polyanthus primrose ‘Victoriana Gold Lace Black’ Primula × polyantha

This variety has exceptionally eye-catching blooms. Its dark petals feature a thin ring of gold along the edges.

Primrose is more versatile than its reputation: polyanthus primrose ‘Victoriana Gold Lace Black’ Primula × polyantha

6. Drumstick primrose ‘Weisse Auslese’ Primula denticulata

A rare white variety whose blossoms reach about 25 centimeters above the foliage.

Primrose is more versatile than its reputation: drumstick primrose ‘Weisse Auslese’ Primula denticulata

7. Creeping primrose Primula Pruhoniciana-Ryhmä

Creeping primroses require very little soil and work well as groundcover under shrubs.

Primrose is more versatile than its reputation: creeping primrose Primula Pruhoniciana-Ryhmä

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