13 Primrose Varieties to Grow This Season

Primrose, whose genus name Primula means “little earliest one,” is a sweet harbinger of spring. Among the first perennials to bloom, flowering times range from February through May, some lasting into the summer, depending on the variety and climate.

With over 450 species, there are limitless lovely primrose varieties to incorporate in shades from pastel to bold and shapes from bell to sphere to snowflake. They feature clusters of small flowers or delicate singular blooms on stalks above rosettes of deep green, crinkled leaves. With a sweet, subtle fragrance and low-growing habit, primrose is lovely in borders, woodland edges, along walkways, and in container arrangements. 

Most species prefer organically rich, moist, well-drained soils and perennialize best in growing areas with mild summers. They also make lively annuals or houseplants to embellish the cool seasons. Once established, primrose needs little care except to divide crowded groups, creating more plants and blooms. Our list highlights top performers and easy-care primrose varieties that grow across varying conditions. Choose your favorites to grow from seed or nursery starts this season for years of delight.

Cowslip

	botanical name Primula veris
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 6-8”
	hardiness zones 3-8

Cowslip welcomes spring with nodding lemon-yellow blooms and a sweet fragrance in April and May. Stems rise above the crinkled rosette of basal foliage with showy umbels of the bell-shaped flowers. Petals have a deeper reddish spot at their base. The fresh green leaves are evergreen to semi-evergreen, depending on the climate.

Once prevalent in English pastures, cowslip naturalizes in woodlands and meadows and borders in its optimal conditions. It’s a vigorous and easy-to-grow primrose in moist, well-drained soils. In cool climates with consistent moisture, it tolerates more sun. In areas with hot summers, provide afternoon shade protection.

P. veris is one of the parent plants of the popular and reliable hybrid selections of P. polyantha. It colonizes through self-seeding. It also grows easily from seeds to start the collection. The species is a Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit recipient for its ornamental appeal and performance.

Common Primrose

	botanical name Primula vulgaris
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 4-6”
	hardiness zones 4-8

In true primrose yellow, this English species characterizes the genus. Native to Europe, including England and Ireland, the creamy yellow springtime wildflowers grow freely along streambanks, roadsides, and damp woodlands. The Celts considered the primrose sacred, and the species has long-held medicinal qualities and their place in poetry. 

English, or common primrose, prefers dappled shade but tolerates more sun in moderate climates if soils remain moist. Ideal for a woodland border in a mass or group, they germinate quickly from seed. Divide clumps in fall or early spring before flowering to spread the colony. The blanket of blooms boasts Award of Garden Merit status.

Drumstick

	botanical name Primula denticulata
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8-18”
	hardiness zones 2-8

The drumstick primrose variety brings a show of tall globes on thick stems above cabbage leaves. The lollipop flowers and foliage emerge at the same time early in the season. 

From white to purple, pink, and red, the small flowers appear in rounded clusters for a unique display among the genus. Each bloom has a yellow eye brightening its center. These are pretty in the landscape and the vase.

This floriferous species is larger but still versatile in small spaces. It has one-foot flower stalks, and leaves grow to a foot after flowers fade. Happiest in moist soils, drumstick readily grows from seed. The species is another top performer and award winner.

Asian Woodland

	botanical name Primula sieboldii
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 9-18”
	hardiness zones 4-8

With a delicate appearance, this species native to Japan brightens shady, cool spots. Flowers in an array of colors, from white to lavender to scarlet, and shapes, from star to snowflake, bring unexpected enchantment beneath spring-flowering shrubs and other perennials. The large blossoms rise above deep foliage on one-foot stems.

The Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit recipient is cold-hardy, easy to care for, and makes a lovely cut flower. P. sieboldii may enter summer dormancy during warm months after flowering as soils dry. To transplant established groups, divide the rhizomes post-bloom or just as the leaves emerge in spring.

‘Apple Blossom’

	botanical name Primula japonica ‘Apple Blossom’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 18-20”
	hardiness zones 4-8

‘Apple Blossom’ is a candelabra primrose variety with pale pink bloom clusters with rosy interiors and eyes. P.  japonica is another Award of Garden Merit recipient with flowers on long stems above rosette foliage in late spring. The blooms occur in several whorls along the slender stems for a floriferous display. ‘Apple Blossom’ features two to six tiers of the whorls per stem.

There are several species of candelabras whose flowers brighten with the layers along stems. P. japonica is among the easiest to grow. It prefers moist to wet soils, and a low-lying woodland or water feature margin works well. Hummingbirds enjoy the nectar-rich blooms.

‘Wanda’

	botanical name Primula ‘Wanda’
	sun requirements Full sun to full shade
	height 3-6”
	hardiness zones 3-9

‘Wanda’ has striking violet blooms with yellow centers just above thick, ruffled, bright green leaves. A P. x juliana hybrid, the variety is early blooming with an attractive low-mounding form and creeping habit. Flower clusters rise on four to six-inch stems.

‘Wanda’ has five rounded petals that spring up in circular clusters. The rich purple-red is a standout in the front of the border or as an early container accent. Its Award of Garden Merit status confirms its performance.

Others in the group include ‘Wanda Kay’ in dark blue and ‘Wanda Renae’s Pearl’ with violet flowers and white amongst dark green foliage. ‘Wanda’ and other varieties in the Juliana group are cold hardy selections.

‘Zebra Blue’

	botanical name Primula ‘Zebra Blue’
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 4-8”
	hardiness zones 4-8

Blue zebras do exist in nature, this one in an unexpected true-blue blossom with white stripes. The painterly primrose variety draws the visitor in to look closely at its detailed petals, which rise in clusters on short stems above dark, textured foliage.

‘Zebra Blue’ is a polyanthus primrose. Polyanthus is a naturally occurring hybrid between two strong parent species, P. vulgaris (cowslip) and P. veris (English or wild). It brings the best of both European wildflower species in hardiness and vigor, with greater heat tolerance than other types. The group is widely popular with centuries of cultivars in an array of colors.

‘Zebra Blue’ showcases the unique hybridization of polyanthus primrose varieties. A bright yellow central eye punctuates the indigo-streaked petals.

‘Belarina® Pink Champagne’

	botanical name Primula ‘Kerbelchamp’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 5-8”
	hardiness zones 4-8

‘Pink Champagne’ brings bright indulgence with prolific, fully double, ruffled blooms. Pale pink, cream, and lilac tones and a sweet fragrance make this a darling English hybrid with good heat tolerance to boot.

The Belarina® series boasts extended flowering and large flowers with lots of petals atop compact, fresh green foliage. Because the series is seedless (plants are sterile), more energy goes into flower production than reproducing. 

‘Crescendo Blue Shades’

	botanical name Primula ‘Crescendo Blue Shades’
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 6-8”
	hardiness zones 5-7

‘Crescendo Blue Shades’ has saturated cobalt flowers with contrasting canary yellow eyes. The short-lived perennial pops up early in the season with an eye-catching intensity of the seldom-seen hue.

The Crescendo series features primrose varieties with uniform flowering and vigorous growth for a reliable spring show. While not as cold-hardy as others, the Award of Garden Merit winner is a favorite polyanthus, semi-evergreen and blooming from late winter to early spring.

‘Pacific Hybrids’

	botanical name Primula x elatior ‘Pacific Hybrids’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-8”
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Pacific Hybrids’ brings vibrant large flowers with clear faces and starry yellow centers. In purple, white, sunshine yellow, scarlet, bright pink, and more, the bouquet of cheer is representative of modern hybrids making a splash.

‘Pacific Hybrids’ are notable not only for their colors but also for large blooms that rise in a bunch above compact, textured foliage. With a spread of six to twelve inches, the primrose variety is a fit for enlivening pots and the front of the border. 

Primrose also grows indoors with cool nighttime temperatures. Move them to the garden after flowering, or let them enjoy summers outdoors.

‘Cinnamon’

	botanical name Primula auricula ‘Cinnamon’
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 4-6”
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Cinnamon’ has decadent double blooms in dusky rose and copper. The fully-petaled flowers rise on short, four-inch stems above tidy rosettes. The warm tones offer a soft neutral in antique shades.

The parent species P. auricula is fragrant with soft yellow blooms. An alpine grower, it prefers cool climates. ‘Cinnamon’ and other cultivars grow across a wider range of conditions but appreciate shade protection and moisture in summer as well as well-draining soils.

‘Belarina® Amethyst Ice’

	botanical name Primula vulgaris ‘Kerbel Picotee’
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 6-8”
	hardiness zones 4-8

‘Amethyst Ice’ is another breakthrough primrose variety in the Belarina® series. The common primrose tolerates heat, humidity, and cold weather. Lavender blue blooms appear in April, each measuring one and a half inches atop ruffled evergreen leaves. They rise in a ready bouquet with dense buds and blooms. The double petals have delicate white edging highlighting the purple.

‘Amethyst Ice’ is out of the breeding program by David and Priscilla Kerley in the U.K. Belarinas® boasts double blooms and extended flowering. Look for ‘Blue Ripples’ with white petals brushed in violet blue and ‘Maple Sugar’ with scarlet burnished in gold. 

Deadhead spent blooms to keep them free of the crown. Like other common or polyanthus varieties, it may enter summer dormancy. Foliage yellows and declines with warming conditions, to revive with fall’s return. This period of new growth is prime for division, with flowering expected in spring.

‘Supernova Fire’

	botanical name Primula x polyantha ‘Supernova Fire’
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 6”
	hardiness zones 4-9

‘Supernova Fire’ glows with golden yellow petals with wide red-orange brushed edges. The large flowers crowd each other on compact forms for a floriferous burst of color. The fiery display contrasts pastel shades and is bold among blues, whites, and purples.