Primrose

Primula vulgaris

Clump-forming native woodland-edge perennial with pale yellow flowers held just above a rosette of crinkled leaves. One of the very first flowers of spring.

Hardiness ratings

Primrose hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 4–8 −34.4 °C to −6.7 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H7 down to −20 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 4–8 −29 °C to −1 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–5 −15 °C to 10 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Larval food plant for the duke of burgundy butterfly — declining in parallel with the loss of coppiced woodland
  • Among the very first flowers of spring — a classic seasonal marker
  • Thrives in dappled shade on hedge banks and woodland edges

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Primrose against your zones

Reference

Primrose on Wikipedia