Primula species: overview of the most beautiful species

Colorful primroses ring in the garden year. But not all primroses are the same. We show the variety of primrose species and explain the differences.

The cushion primula (Primula vulgaris) is the best-selling primrose species and, with its friendly appearance, awakens the first spring fever. But the genus of primroses is far more diverse. We have selected 11 particularly pretty and diverse primrose species to give you an insight into an unimagined range of growth forms as well as flower colors and shapes.

Primrose species: how many are there and where do they come from?

The natural distribution areas of the primula species (Primula) can be found in almost the entire northern hemisphere. Some species have adapted to life in mountainous regions. These alpine primroses almost always display a pink, reddish-violet to blue-violet flower, as this is particularly attractive to pollinators in mountainous regions. Most non-alpine species, on the other hand, have yellow flowers. From a total of around 500 primrose species, we would like to introduce you to 11 of the most beautiful primrose species below.

The most beautiful primrose species

The different species differ not only in the color of the flowers but also in the flowering time, growth height and shape. The usually 2 to 25 flowers per inflorescence, which are arranged as umbels or whorls, can be simple, filled or even ruffled. If you combine different types of primula, you can enjoy the flowers from January to July.

Alpine auricula (Primula auricula)

The alpine, wild primrose species Primula auricula is a meanwhile rare resident of the Limestone Alps. It grows to a height of about 5 to 25 cm and flowers between April and June. It forms thick, fleshy, smooth, hairy leaves and is the only alpine primrose species to have light yellow and fragrant flowers. The perennial alpine auricula loves permeable, calcareous soil in a sunny to partially shaded location.

Cup primrose or poison primrose (Primula obconica)

The cup primrose, which is hardy down to -5 °C, is a perennial type of primula that should spend the winter indoors. It grows to around 5 to 25 cm in height and can start flowering any month of the year, depending on the variety. The flowers, arranged in umbels, can be white, pink or light purple in colour. There are varieties with ruffled, double or single flowers. The cup primrose can also be kept as a houseplant all year round. The fine hairs on the leaves and stems release a toxin called primin when touched. This can lead to contact allergies and skin rashes, which is why gloves should be worn when handling the poisonous primrose Primula obconica is particularly important.

Cowslip (Primula veris)

The cowslip or apothecary's primrose is a native perennial that grows to a height of 10 to 20 cm. The small, tube-like, fused, fragrant flowers sit on upright, thick flower stalks. On warm spring days between April and May, bumblebees in particular visit the numerous delicate flowers. Its dark green leaves are wrinkled and oval in shape, the edge of the leaf is rolled down. The cowslip prefers neutral to calcareous, dry to fresh, humus-rich and well-drained soil. In contrast to many other types of primula, the cowslip also thrives in full sun. In addition to the wild forms that only flower light yellow, red-flowering varieties such as 'Red Tones' are also available.

Tiered primroses (Primula beesiana, Primula japonica and Primula bullesiana hybrid)

As tiered primrose both plants of the kinds Primula japonica and Primula beesiana as well as Primula bullesiana x beesiana- called hybrids. The upright, clump-like, perennial perennials reach a height of 30 to 60 cm, in exceptional cases even around 100 cm. Tiered primroses form long flower stalks with whorls of flowers that bloom in tiers and are pink, violet, yellow, white or orange-red in colour. However, the hybrids in particular are not particularly long-lived, they multiply by self-sowing in suitable fresh to moist, humus-rich locations. Tiered primroses bloom late in the year from June to August. popular Primula japonicaVarieties are 'Appleblossom' and the red flowering 'Millers Crimson'.

lilac primrose (Primula malacoides)

The 30 to 45 cm high, perennial lilac primrose or bride primrose comes from China and Myanmar. It is an ornamental plant that we usually cultivate as an annual, but can be overwintered frost-free indoors. The white or pink to lavender-colored flowers sit loosely on long peduncles. Thanks to cultivation in a cold house, the lilac primrose flowers from December to March. Sow the Primelart yourself in autumn on a bright windowsill at around 10 to 15 °C, then flowering will begin later in March. In the winter months it is placed as a houseplant in a sunny to semi-shady location and can be placed outside in a cool location from April. However, you should protect them well from late frost.

Cowslip (Primula elatior)

The cowslip or cowslip is a perennial primrose species native to us, found in forests. The perennial reaches a height of 10 to 30 cm and shows its umbel-shaped, light yellow flowers with a sunny yellow center between March and May. The cowslip is ideal for planting under trees and at the edges of forests. It spreads itself by seed. The ideal location is semi-shady to shady on fresh to moist, loamy-humic soil. The eye-catching gold-fringed primula is Primula elatior-Hybrid. The dark petals of varieties like 'Gold Lace' are edged in light to golden yellow and create an exciting contrast.

Pillow Primrose (Primula vulgaris)

The domestic perennial cushion primrose, also called cushion primrose, is hardy and reaches a height of 10 to 15 cm. It has an extremely short flower stalk and close-fitting, large, sun yellow to light yellow, but also purple and pink flowers. The cushion primrose spreads by self-seeding and forms loose, all-encompassing stands at the right location. Primula vulgaris prefers partially shaded to lightly shaded locations on humus-rich soil. It tolerates summer drought well and is ideal for planting under shrubs and deciduous trees.

Globe primula (Primula denticulata)

The hardy globe primrose grows to a height of about 15 to 30 cm and flowers between March and May. It forms spherical, round inflorescences consisting of numerous unfilled individual flowers on long, hairy stalks. The basal leaves only appear when the ball primrose is in full bloom. Depending on the variety, the flower color ranges between white, pink and blue-violet. The globe primrose prefers fresh to moist, permeable and humus-rich soil in partial shade. Popular ball primrose varieties are 'Alba', 'Grandiflora' or 'Rubin'.

Orchid primrose (Primula vialii)

The perennial, hardy orchid primrose comes from China and is about 30 cm high. The exotic-looking primrose blooms between May and July. Numerous tiny, red-violet flowers are arranged in narrow spikes in deep red calyxes on long stalks. The usually rather short-lived orchid primrose prefers lime-poor, permeable, fresh and humus-rich soil in partial shade. The 'Red Hot Poker' primrose variety has particularly large inflorescences.

Rose Primrose (Primula rosea)

The rose primrose, also known as the rose cowslip, is a perennial, hardy species that grows to a height of about 20 cm. She is originally from Kashmir and Afghanistan. The flowers, which are sensitive to cold, are endangered by late frost, appear from March and are all pink to raspberry red in color. Hence the allusion of the name to the rose (pink sp.). The flowers, which sit on long stalks and are grouped together as a loose raceme, appear before the foliage. The rose primrose is ideal for planting in wet soil, because it needs moist to moorish, loamy-sandy soil in a sunny to partially shaded location.

Carpet primroses (Primula juliae)

The low carpet primrose comes from the Caucasus, grows to a height of just 5 to 10 cm and is particularly suitable as a ground cover. The perennial, hardy perennial blooms from February to April. It forms large, solitary violet-red to mauve-blue flowers with a yellow center. Carpet primroses prefer permeable, moist, but never waterlogged soil with an acidic to neutral pH in partial shade. Popular carpet primrose varieties are the purple-flowering 'Blue Horizon', 'Wanda' with pink flowers or the light blue 'Blue Julianas'.

Have you decided on a primrose species? Then you will find instructions and tips on how to do this here Planting and caring for primroses.