The primrose flower belongs to the Primulaceae family that consists of over 400 species. They’re one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring and are an important food source for butterflies.
Primrose flowers are renowned for their array of beautiful colours, although yellow flowers generally come to mind when you think of them. They contain both male and female reproductive organs and are bisexual by nature.
In history, the flower was used to create love potions, and in Germany, the first women to find a primrose on Easter was said to get married in the same year. Moving forward to today, the primrose has medicinal benefits that can treat a myriad of ailments. Along with violets, it is also one of the February birth flowers.
With so many options available and many stories behind the flower, it’s easy to see why it’s such an interesting plant. To further highlight the unique beauty of the species, we’ll showcase some of the more common types of primrose flowers.
Alba Plena
Also known as Primula vulgaris. This variant belongs to the Common Primrose variety and is a white flower. They bloom in the early spring and grow to be around 15 centimetres tall.
Primula beesiana
Also known as Bee’s primrose. These flowers are pink and purple with yellow centres and can grow to 60 centimetres in length. They bloom from the late spring to early summer and thrive in shady and damp environments.
Primula bulleyana
Also referred to as Bulley Primrose. This evergreen plant is semi-perennial and lives for quite a long time. It’s yellow in colour and can grow up to 60 centimetres tall.
Primula pulverulenta
Also referred to as the Powdery Primrose. This variety has crimson red, bell-shaped petals and is one of the easiest to grow. The flower gets its name from the silvery layer on the flower buds and stems.
Primula x bulleesiana
This flower is a hybrid native to the Himalayas and China. It prefers shady, damp environments and can tolerate wet soils. The delicate flowers come in a wide variety of colours that include salmon, lavender, red, rose, purple and cream.
Common Cowslip
Also known as Primula veris. This beautiful yellow flower is easy to grow and can break its dormancy with a little bit of cold. The seeds should be planted at the end of summer or during autumn to ensure that they bloom the following summer.
Common Evening Primrose
Also known as Oenothera biennis. As the name implies, this bright yellow flower only blooms at night. The entire plant is edible, and the oil is often used for medicinal purposes that can include pain relief. This plant is hardy and can survive dry conditions with poor soil quality.
Drumstick
Also known as Primula denticulata. This flower can be pink, purple, blue, or white with a yellow centre. They thrive in the sun but can tolerate partial shade.
English Cowslip
Also known as Primula veris. These cheery yellow flowers bloom in the spring and can reach a height of approximately 25 centimetres. They have a subtle fragrance and come in a wide variety of colours that includes red, orange and rust.
English Primrose
Also known as Primula vulgaris. This plant is native to Europe and the United Kingdom. The English primrose flower has light yellow petals with a dark yellow centre. Each stem will bloom a single flower in the springtime.
Evening Primrose
Also known as Oenothera speciosa. This beautiful pinkish-white flower blooms from late spring until early autumn. Evening primrose flowers are low maintenance and tend to be disease-free and pest resistant.
Francesca
Also known as Primula vulgaris. These flowers have a beautiful green colour and are incredibly easy to grow – as long as the soil remains moist.
Giant Cowslip
Also known as Primula florindae. As the name implies, this flower can grow to be rather large, reaching a height of 1.2 metres. They’re one of the biggest primrose flowers and are also one of the most fragrant varieties.
Granny Graham
Primula Granny Graham flowers are a beautiful, dark shade of purple. The low growing plant is perfect to create borders in your garden beds or be planted in hanging baskets.
Japanese Primrose
Also known as Primula japonica. This deciduous plant comes in a wide variety of colours. Purple, white, red and pink primrose flowers are all found in this variety. Japanese primrose can also grow to around 45 centimetres in length. When planted in a group, they make a real statement.
Juliana
Also known as Primula x Juliana. This hybrid flower is one of the smaller primrose varieties, only reaching 5 centimetres in length. Juliana have bright red petals and a bright yellow centre, perfect for creating an eye-catching display.
Kisoana
Also known as Primula kisoana. This primrose is magenta in colour and thrives in moist conditions. The plant is particularly fond of growing around trees and when given the opportunity will eventually grow to surround the entire tree.
Orchid Primrose
Also known as Primula vialii. This variety is often described as being unusual as a result of its cone-shaped structure covered in tiny petals. They can grow up to 45 centimetres in length and are mostly pest resistant.
Polyanthus
Also known as Primula x polyantha. This hybrid flower was created over 300 years ago. The yellow primrose flower’s petals fade into a dark yellow starred centre and bloom in the springtime.
The Primrose Species In A Nutshell
When growing primrose flowers, they love the sun and prefer moist soil. Some varieties can tolerate wet soil, but it’s best to research this before drenching your plant. They’re one of the easiest plants to grow and care for, although regular trimming is recommended. These hardy plants are pest and disease resistant.
For many, they’re a symbol of the springtime as they’re often one of the first to bloom, but they can survive well into winter. Pick the variety that you prefer, and they’re sure to add a splash of colour to your garden!