Growing Primroses In An Informal Setting

In planting primroses I’ve discovered that they look best when set in a casual unplanned manner. Group, say, seven in one area, staggering them nonchalantly along the way. Establish three more just there as the path turns. Then on the opposite side, a little further on, five more, and beyond-thirteen. Perhaps there by that old stump, plant one, in the sheltering arms of its buttressed roots.

Maintenance of the Primrose Path is practically nil-chiefly keeping the new plantings free from weeds. There is no need in a wooded area to provide winter cover, for nature does it most skilfully with falling leaves from the trees overhead. These leaves, constantly decomposing, help nurture beneficent bacteria in the soil, and provide constant plant food. In a drought year, or a prolonged dry spell, the plants may need water, but no other care.

Plants may be divided every third year or so and the best moment is right after blooming. The crowns separate easily as the primrose is lifted from the ground and gently parted by hand. Water each clump immediately after resetting and every few days for a month thereafter.

Horticultural references list over 300 primula species-all sizes, colors and heights. Among the best and easiest sorts, those we have found particularly amiable for naturalizing and entirely hardy here in Connecticut, are these six:

Primula vulgaris, alternately P. acaulis, is the common English primrose. It produces flowers individually on 6-inch stems instead of on pedicels attached to a central stalk. Earliest of all, they literally cover the plant in spring. The English primrose comes in all the yellow and tawny shades but also a deep ink-blue with a yellow eye that is stunning.

P. veris, the cowslip, originally from Eurasia, bears gay flowers on 8-inch stems in nodding umbels which open out erect. They are yellow with an orange eye, very fragrant, and with us come a little later in May.

P. elatior, the oxlip, is another early one from western Asia- 8 inches high and yellow.

P. polyantha, the polyantha hybrids, grow 10 inches high. Although these primroses bloom in the spring, the flowers flaunt the typical colors of autumn-toned down a bit-includ?ing orange, scarlet, cream, violets, pinks, every tone of gold, and the blue of autumn ponds on Cape Cod.

P. japonica, the Japanese candelabra primrose, flowers in June, thus extending the primrose season. This species really likes moisture and will thrive in a boggy area. On 18-inch stems, the purple, pink, or white flowers rise in tiers, one above the other, pagoda style.

P. auricula, the auricula primrose, is from the mountains of eastern Europe and the Alps. It flowers April to June on 6 to 10-inch stems. This one comes in all the colors with a con?spicuous eye often circled in white. Many-flowered umbels of fragrant bloom open early, due perhaps to their hardy natures gained in their original mountain homes. This plant is lime loving.

Some of our good companions for primrose include jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) rising up in solitary dignity in the shadows, and trout lilies (erythronium). Numerous un-

curling feathery fern fronds provide foliage contrast to thc coarser primrose leaves. Mahogany red trillium (T. sessile), sometimes called wake robin, seeks the cool shade near the primroses. So does Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum biflorum) which follows a little later. Both it and the false Solomon’s seal (Smilacina stellata) are fine company for primroses. Pink lady slippers (Cypripedium acaule) join the show along with wood anemones (Anemone quinquefolia). Bellwort (Uvularia grandiflora) flowers early with graceful yellow blooms on delicate stems. Wild iris (Iris verna)-6 to 8 inches high-adds itself to the throng. White trillium (Trillium grandiflorum), blood-root (Sanguinaria canadensis), wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) are also part of the Primrose Path setting. Both pink and white dogwood make an attractive canopy.
When spring sweeps over the meadow, swinging catkins along the brook-when clouds race, and the sun grows warmer each day-we head for the Primrose Path. Down across the sunny meadow, then step over a low rock in the stone wall into a cool place of many fragrances. The path curves a little-all at once you see them and gasp-you cannot help it. Drifts of primroses informally border the path-gold, lemon yellow, apricot, red and blue.

From across the meadow sounds the music of a lark as the breeze bends the wild iris foliage. A new season is fully here, coasting in on a riot of primroses. Just there on an old stump you pause a while to be a part of it-happy also in the knowledge that you gained this prize with ridiculously little effort.

Image by Daniel Greene via Flickr