It must be spring!
English primroses and bugle weed (Ajuga reptans).
Flowers and foliage arise from a central basal crown. Look at all those flower buds!
Polyantha hybrid primroses.
A light orange candelabra primrose.
Sue Jervis primroses flower from March through April.
Fanny Bavarian Gaudi is an acaulis primrose.
A candelabra primrose.
A colony of purple English primroses.
White Wings siebold primrose.
A double white aucalis primrose.
March flowers of a Danova polyantha primrose.
An impressive acaulis primrose.
Primroses are so hardy they don't mind frosty weather.
Sirococco is a fancy acaulis primrose.
Blaue anslese a blue drumstick primrose with April flowers.
A white-eyed red acaulis primrose.
White English primroses.
White Wings is a hardy Asian primrose.
'Supernova Red' polyanthus primrose.
A stunning pink polyantha primrose.
A pretty double yellow acaulis primrose with March flowers.
Oxlip primrose flowers sit in clusters on top of leafless stems.
Drumstick primroses are easy to grow.
Rosetta Red English primrose.
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Common Name: English & common primrose
Botanical Name: Primula vulgaris Family: Primulaceae Genus: Primula Species: vulgaris Plant Type: herbaceous perennial Form: low growing rosette Mature Size: 4 - 6 inches tall x 4-9 inches Growth: fast Origin: Great Britain, Europe Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8 Foliage: evergreen, lance-shaped, form rosettes from a basal crown, up to 10” long and 2.5” wide Flowers: pale yellow, scented, 1” across, deep yellow centre, early to mid spring, single flowers on leafless hairy stems Fruit: a capsule with small black seeds Exposure: light shade to part shade, avoid afternoon summer sun Soil: humus rich, consistently moist and mulched Uses: garden borders, containers, slopes, cottage gardens, shade gardens, edging, woodland Attracts: butterflies Toxic: cats, dogs, horses Invasive Tendencies: self seeds and naturalizes but most people don’t mind Tolerates: deer & rabbit resistant Awards: Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit Propagation: seeds, plant divisions Pruning: deadhead after flowering Problems: slugs, aphids, vine weevils, phytophthora root rot, botrytis Comments: The common primrose, Primula vulgaris, is loved for its courageous softly yellow blossoms that emerge early in the spring. Even snow doesn’t deter them from flowering their pretty little heads off. Where to Plant Primroses are at their best when the weather is cool. They thrive where the soil is moist and rich with lots of organic matter. A 3 inch of an mulch of fall foliage or wood chips mimics their natural habitat, further encouraging healthy plants and lots of blossoms. The mulch keeps the soil moist and more fertile. These woodland beauties prefer dappled shade, so they are perfect candidates to plant under trees. Since they dislike the heat, place them away from hot afternoon summer sun. Physical Traits Flowers and leaves grow from a basal rosette that swirl around the centre. Their evergreen foliage is serrated, lance-shaped, wrinkled and slightly hairy on their undersides. They grow to 2 – 10 inches long and up to 2.5 inches wide. Clusters of their softly scented flowers appear in February and last well into April depending on the weather. Their flat-faced one-inch flowers are shaped like trumpets that flare at the end. Primroses are perennials, which means they last from year to year. They multiply forming colonies that cover the ground with their sweet soft yellow blossoms. Issues Primroses are tough and are easy to grow however, Slugs and snails love to feast on their flowers and foliage. They are usually the first plants to get devoured in spring. Primroses don’t get too many insects or diseases if they are planted in the right conditions. Too much shade and soggy soils lead to root rot, however they wither and dry up when the soil is too sandy and dry. Types of Primroses The common English primrose is one of the many types of primroses. Here’s a list of some equally lovely species and cultivars. Double Primroses, P. vulgaris cultivars Often fragrant, double primroses are a cultivar of the common English primrose. Flowers resemble miniature roses due to multiple petals. Flowers are profuse with many flowers that continue from early to late spring. Unlike species primroses, they decline over time. USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8. Primroses & Polyanthus One of the earliest flowering primroses even when there is still snow on the ground. Flowering continues into mid spring with vivid, vibrant coloured flowers. They are either borne on short stems or on long stalks and grow to 12 inches in height. There are countless cultivars available, and they all are quite versatile. Plant in part shade to full sun but avoid hot summer sun. They prefer humus-rich, moist soil that drains well. USDA hardiness zones 5 to 7. Drumstick primrose, P. denticulata Rounded flowerheads sit atop leafless stems that grow to 12 inches. Large lance-shaped foliage grow from rosettes that form lush clumps. Drumstick primroses prefer partial shade, rich moist soils and are easy to grow and are very hardy. Flowers from early to late spring and are good cut flowers. USDA Zones 2 to 8. Oxlip, Primula elatior Umbels of yellow flowers sit atop winged, leafless stems up to 12 inches in length. Native to woodland margins and meadows, it prefers an evenly moist, rich soil. Elliptical leaves are 8 inches long by 2.75 inches. USDA Zones 4 to 8. Orchid primrose, Primula vialii This primrose prefers wet soils in shady locations. Their sturdy leafless flower stems rise above lance-shaped foliage that lay close to the ground. Blossoms resemble narrow pyramidal spears that grow to 18 inches tall. They appear in early to late summer. Pinkish-red buds open to reveal small purple flowers. USDA Zones 4 to 8. Alpine Auriculas/Primroses Auriculas are hardy, tough plants that live for years. Their flowers are large, flat, rounded and come in a myriad of colours. They grow up to 8 inches and flower from mid to late spring. Plant in moist, well-drained, organic rich soil. Unlike other primroses, they dislike wet soil, especially clay. They also dislike too much shade so place them where they receive dappled shade. USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8. Candelabra Primulas, Primula pulverulenta, P. x bulleesiana Aptly named candelabra primroses bear whorls of flowers in tiers around leafless stems that rise to 3 feet above the foliage. Colours range from pink, purple, red and sometimes white. Wrinkly deep green flat, slightly hairy foliage are a nice contrast to the blossoms. These primroses prefer a partially shaded location, away from full afternoon sun in the summer, and consistently moist, rich soil. USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8. Siebold Primrose, Primula sieboldii Originates from the damp meadows and woodlands of Manchuria, Korea, Japan and Siberia. Pale green, wrinkled foliage are protected from the cold with short hairs. In Japan it is known as Sakurasoh, the cherry blossom herb, because their flowers resemble falling cherry blossoms. Flowers are either smooth and round or fringed and lacy. Plants form large floriferous colonies. Used as a cut flower due to their longevity once cut. USDA Zones 4 to 8. 
Candelabra primroses flowers are borne on tall stalks that wrap around the stem.
Oxlip primroses have naturalized at VanDusen Garden in Vancouver, B.C.
Wanda is an easy care English primrose.
English primroses Pink Champagne and Belarina Nectarine.
Rosetta Red is a perfect little English primrose.
Pink polyanthus primroses from the Danova series.
A double pink English primrose.
Many huge flowers obscure the foliage underneath.
An orchid primrose, Primula vialii, is also called a rocket primrose and rightfully so.
Pink and blue Pacific Hybrid primulas.
Sirococco is a fancy acaulis primrose.
Velvet Moon polyantha primrose.
Sue Jervis, an English primrose.
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