Overview of cowslip facts and figures
- Botanical name: Primula veris (Real cowslip), Primula elatior (High cowslip), Primula vulgaris (Stemless cowslip)
- Family: Primrose Family (Primulaceae)
- Genus: Primroses (Primula)
- Popular names: including the sky key, woman's key, Märzenblümli, Petri flower, eggplant, Auritzel, meadow primrose
- Origin and distribution: Europe, Middle East
- Location: meadows, light deciduous forests (especially mixed oak and beech forests), forest edges
- Growth habit: herbaceous, in groups
- Height: approx. 15 to 25 centimeters
- Perennial: yes
- Flowers: golden
- Colors: yellow, red, orange
- Flowering time: April to June (in more southern regions also from February)
- Fruits: capsule fruit with numerous seeds
- Leaves: arrangement in rosette
- Propagation: seeds, division
- Winter hardiness: very good
- Toxicity: no
- Usage: ornamental plant, butterfly willow, medicinal plant
Cowslip is very suitable for natural gardens
Cowslips are particularly popular in natural gardens that should have the soil that is as moist as possible. The charming wild shrub also looks great in the rock garden. It is easy to release into the wild, but it can also quickly become a problem if it feels too comfortable in one location. Cowslips prefer a sunny to partially shaded location on humus and moist, but well-drained soil. It also thrives very well on chalky soils. Count on around eleven to 25 plants per square meter to be planted.
also read
- Cowslip blooms in spring
- Cowslip is under conservation
- The healing properties of the cowslip
Care and propagation
Cowslips are considered to be extremely easy to care for. If self-sowing is not desired, the fruit heads should be removed in good time. The plant particularly likes to hybridize with Primula elatior, the high cowslip. Propagation takes place either by sowing after the seeds have ripened or by division during the growth phase.
Tips
The mixture “Sunset Shades” looks particularly beautiful, blooming in yellow, red and orange tones and up to 25 centimeters high. Red-flowered cowslips come from crosses with the hybrid Primula polyantha.
