Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
2/13/03
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Linda Naeve, Reiman Gardens, (515) 294-2710, lnaeve@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Primroses are at Home Indoors and Outdoors
By Linda Naeve
Extension Coordinator
Reiman Gardens
Many things in our lives today are marketed for "indoor and outdoor" use. Holiday lights, electrical timers, extension cords, sculptures and carpet are a few items that come to mind. Many plants can also be grown successfully indoors and outdoors. This week's Reiman's Pick, polyantha primrose, is one of them.
Primroses are native to southern and western Europe, including Great Britain. The Primulaceae family has many species that bloom early in the season. The name primrose comes from the Latin word "prima" which means "first." Thus, its name implies it is the "first rose" or flower of the season.
The wild European primrose, Primula vulgaris, was not only a sign of spring; it represented "first love" a few centuries ago in Europe. Although that is a fun bit of trivia, it is probably not the reason florists sell primroses for Valentine's Day gifts. They are beautiful flowering plants that add a cheery touch to any room without requiring a lot of space or a large cash investment.
The polyantha primrose, Primula X polyantha, is the most common and popular group of primroses grown in American gardens. It is a hybrid whose parents include P. veris, a deep yellow cowslip primrose, P. vulgaris, English primrose, and P. Julia, Julian primrose. The result of many years of hybridizing, the polyantha primrose blooms in a wide palette of colors, including orange, blue, white, apricot, pink, rose, yellow and red. The flowers are symmetrical, with one- to two-inch blossoms that form large clusters in the center of the plant. The leaves are a dull green color with a "puckered" texture. The leaves hug the ground in a clump or rosette, and the flowers rise about six to 12 inches above the leaves.
The polyantha primrose should not be confused with other plants in the garden that are called primroses, such as Missouri primrose and evening primrose. Those plants are not members of the Primulaceae family and have very different flowering and cultural requirements.
A cluster of primrose plants on a coffee table or windowsill provides gardeners with the color of spring weeks before it is seen and felt outdoors. Primroses will last a long time if kept well watered in a bright, cool location and away from heat sources. After the flowers fade, care for the primrose like houseplants until they can be planted outdoors in April.
Outdoors, in the garden, primroses are good partners with pansies because they both thrive and bloom in the cool spring temperatures and suffer in the heat of the summer. Primroses grow best in full or partial shade. They require moist, well-drained soil. Plant several in a group under trees or shrubs where they will be shaded and mulch them well to retain soil moisture.
Although they are considered perennials in our area, polyantha primroses are, by nature, short-lived. Cold winters and snow-covered soils are not a threat to their survival. However, hot, dry summers are a health hazard for primroses. This is why they are commonly sold as annuals in garden centers. Another problem arises in early spring when the young tender primrose leaves become tasty, gourmet food for hungry rabbits.
Polyantha primroses are great for indoor and outdoor gardens. Spring has arrived early in the Conservatory, Reiman Gardens' new indoor garden. A stroll through the primroses, tulips, begonias, azaleas and other spring flowers will lift your spirits on a cold winter day.
-30-
|
Editors: A color photo, suitable for publication, is available at right. Click on the thumbnail photo to go to the fullsized photo. The picture's fullsize photo is 228K. Caption: Primula X polyantha. |
 |
Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.