Cowslip - Primula (Primula veris) Common Lemon Yellow Cowslip Primrose Heirloom Wild Flower

Cowslip (Primula veris) Common Lemon Yellow Cowslip Primrose Heirloom Wild Flower

Perennial

Height 8 to 10 in

Primula veris, the cowslip, also known as common cowslip, or cowslip primrose, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the primrose family Primulaceae.

What is the difference between primrose and cowslip flowers? 

Cowslip, is a clump-forming, herbaceous, and sometimes semi-evergreen, perennial plant in the primrose family, and is noted for its early to mid-spring bloom of showy, nodding, lemon yellow flowers; it is native to temperate areas of Europe and Asia. Cowslips, have a number of smaller, bell-shaped flowers attached to a stem which are held high above the plant. Primroses, on the other hand, are usually yellow or pink, and grow in the early spring typically in alpine meadows.

Cowslip is perfect for naturalizing any areas where you want to start a wildflower meadow or just want to leave the lawn unmown and have some pretty yellow accents. Cowslip has also been traditionally used to flavour 'country' wines and used for 'cowslip pudding', an old English dish. Cowslip petals used to be dipped in sugar, and were said to make an excellent and refreshing dish, according to early herbalists. The leaves are slightly bitter and can be used in salads or cooked like spinach. The flowers are also edible, and have a lovely citrusy flavour and look great in salads or used as a garnish.

• Sun or light shade
• Well draining soil, that does not dry out, in part to full shade, such as in a northeast-facing bed or underneath deciduous trees.
• Depth: Surface sow, requires light to germinate.
• Sow seeds indoors: surface sow in a container, cover with a plastic bag and place the bag in the fridge for 30 days, or mix seed with damp clean sand or vermiculite, bag, and refrigerate at 35-40F for same period.
• Check often for germination and maintain a lightly moist medium.
• Transplant any seedlings as they germinate.
• After the chill period, sow into soilless media and keep at 60-65F.
• Germination: 7 to 30 days after chill period
• OR direct sow in fall or earliest spring, or winter sow into pots in the shade, covered with a thin layer of clean sand and a wire screen to keep out mice and voles. Check for moisture at regular intervals. Set pots out in spring after frost.
• Feed with a weak solution of high potash or tomato fertilizer when the flower buds begin to form, and continue until the first opening of flowers. Do so once more after flowering has ceased. Be sure to avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen.
• Seed Count: 5