There are few varieties of perennial flowers that provide as classic a style as the Primrose that stays low to the ground with a height of around six inches for most varieties.
The primrose has hardiness for USDA growing zones four through eight and is known to grow well in the rich woodland soils of the Northeast and much of the U.S. Growing primrose from seeds or taking a transplant outdoors can be done relatively easily because of the wold, hardy nature of this classically European flower that remains popular in the U.K. and into the Asian nation of Japan.
Choosing a Location for Your Primrose
One of the most important parts of growing and planting primrose is to make sure the correct location is chosen in any yard or garden. Unlike many flowers, the Primrose in most of its 400 varieties grows well in partly-shaded environments such as a woodland where the soil is fertile but some protection is afforded from the sun’s rays.
The classic view of the Primrose is in an English woodland where they create a bed of flowers on the ground. To make sure your Primrose grows to its most impressive level, it is important to mimic the light and moisture levels of a woodland environment. Shaded, dappled sunshine is an important first step with the diffused sunshine giving these flowers the perfect growing location.
The question of where to plant your Primrose is one that is not too difficult when you decide to taker into account the woodland history of the flower. Many gardeners understand the need for a highly-fertile soil that will allow the Primrose to grow to its maximum potential. The main concern for Primrose is to make sure it is not planted in an area that is too sunny because this can limit the return of the flower year after year.
Growing Primrose from Seeds
One of the weaknesses of the Primrose is its ability to be damaged as a seed by a fungal disease, but a few careful considerations before plating can avoid these issues. It is vital you take a little time to ensure your Primrose seeds are planted in a clean tray for seeds that allows you to feel confident they will grow with few problems.
Primrose seeds grow best in a damp soil that allows the seeds to germinate with ease meaning your potting mix should be soaked in clean water for a couple of hours before the seeds are planted. Primrose seeds tend to be small and can be planted in a tray with many gardeners placing them in a freezer for two weeks after planting has been completed. This will aid in the germination of the seeds when the seeding tray is protected by a plastic grocery bag. After being removed from the freezer after two weeks, the bag should have holes cut into it for ventilation before the bag is placed in a window that does not receive full sun throughout the day.
Most gardeners agree the perfect time to transplant the seeds to their full-time home is when they have received a few leaves on the stem of the plant. If the Primrose is planted just after the last frost of the year has been completed they should be ready to transplant into their forever home around the start of August.
Avoid Root Rot
One of the biggest problems facing the Primrose is over-watering during the Summer months when the plant can go dormant and not need to be watered. The ground a Primrose is planted in needs to be moist, but overwatering is a problem that will stunt growth and cause the plant to last for only a single flowering season. The difficult balancing act for the Primrose gardener is to avoid the soil drying out because this can cause the plant to wilt and die in just a few days.
Year-Round Care
Among the considerations to undertake when you are planning to grow Primrose from seed or to transplant them is to choose an impressive organic fertilizer. This fertilizer should be applied regularly, but not in huge amounts as this can cause damage. It is just as important to prune back the leaves and dead flower heads of the Primrose regularly to keep them from causing any long-term damage.
