In two days I am going to Philadelphia to witness the wonders of the Philadelphia Flower Show, which has returned to the Convention Center in that city after a COVID-related absence of three years. I have avoided the flower show-related publicity because I want to be amazed when I walk into the vast hall full of light and color and, most of all, flowers.
The day will be full of surprises, but I can predict one thing with absolute certainty—I will buy a potted primrose. If the offerings are especially lovely, I might buy two. After all, the little plants are relatively inexpensive and guaranteed to bring spring into my house at a time when that kind of reminder is still much needed. Come to think of it, two might not be enough.
The primroses that I will buy at the Flower Show will be similar to those available from late winter through mid-spring in every place you can think of, including supermarkets, mass merchandisers and convenience stores. They are the result of a complex hybridizing process involving several primrose or Primula species. The pink, white, red, purple, yellow or bi-colored flowers are bright and cheerful, but most people discard the plants after the flowers have had their moment. I don’t, because doing so seems wasteful to me. If you are similarly inclined, and want to try planting your primroses in the garden after the last frost date, take a few easy steps early on.
Remove the plant from its decorative foil or mylar wrapping as soon as you reach home, and place it in a saucer located in a cool, bright space. Water regularly, but don’t swamp the plant. The soil should be moist rather than sodden. Once spring rolls around, plant in a sheltered, partially shaded space. If you are lucky and keep the spot watered, your little primrose may return next spring. This has happened to me from time to time and I always feel a little spark of horticultural happiness when it does. If the plant doesn’t make it, don’t call yourself a
failure. The plants were raised for quick sale and easy color, not longevity.
Notwithstanding the sometimes ephemeral nature of the supermarket primroses, the genus is full of great garden plants, all of which contribute life and color to beds, borders, pots and window boxes in the spring. Most are fond of rich soil, regular moisture and partial shade, which is especially helpful for those of us with lots of shady corners.
When my husband and I bought our first house we discovered that in early spring the walkway to the back door was edged with old-fashioned primroses—most likely hybrids or varieties of Primula vulgaris. They must have been planted by a previous owner and left to multiply, which they did readily. Rising from rosettes of lettuce-like leaves, the stalks were about six inches high and bore clusters of small red flowers edged in yellow. They were lovely and winsome and returned faithfully every year in increasing numbers. Eventually I had enough to divide and give to friends. Nine years later, when we moved into our current house, I brought a pot of the primroses with me and planted them in my new garden. They bloomed one year and then disappeared forever. I have never been able to figure out why, but that failure has not diminished my love of the genus. This year feels like the right time to invest in some modern primroses.
There are a large number of varieties and hybrids of Primula vulgaris out there, though except for the lettuce-like leaves, most do not really resemble the ones that grew so well at my old house. As a lover of all things blue and white, I am drawn to the fragrant ‘Blue Zebra’, which feature blue and white striped petals surrounding a small orange-yellow center. They would look lovely in the company of hyacinths and white tulips.
Fans of double-flowered blooms will want to try primroses in the Belarina series, which includes ‘Cream’, ‘Pink Ice’, ‘Lively Lilac’ and ‘Buttercup’, among others. The Belarinas are also fragrant and grow to about six inches tall.
Now is the time to order primroses, because most vendors ship them only in spring. Be aware that they sometimes behave like other spring flowering plants, disappearing completely when the weather heats up. Mark the spots where they are planted and wait for next spring. As long as you keep the ground watered, the primroses will get lots of seasonal sleep and pop back up again next spring.
Inspired by the Flower Show, I will order my new primroses in a few days. If you want to do the same, try Bluestone Perennials, 7211 Middle Ridge Rd., Madison, OH 44057; 800-852-5243; www.bluestoneperennials.com. Print catalog available.