A simple guide on how to tell the difference between the Spring primula family is as follows …
The Primrose, Primula vulgaris – is the shortest of the plants with pale yellow flowers with slightly darker centres growing singularly on short stems. It likes to grow in shady places. Its leaves are oval, crinkly-edged and fairly even.
Primrose – Primula vulgaris
The Cowslip, Primula veris – is long-stemmed, up to 25 cm. The flowers form in groups on the top of the stems. The petals are small and a deep golden yellow.
Cowslip – Primula veris
The Oxlip, Primula elatior – is usually shorter than the cowslip, growing up to 20 cm. It is quite rare and is mostly resident in South East England. It is easy to spot as its flowers, which sit on the top of the stem, all face the same direction.
Oxlip – Primula elatior
The False oxlip, Primula veris x vulgaris as its Latin name suggests, is in fact, a hybrid formed from the close proximity of a cowslip and primrose producing seedlings of sturdy flowers. These grow the same height as the Oxlip but their umbels fall in all directions similar to its cowslip parent.
False oxlip – Primula veris x vulgaris
These beautiful False oxlips suddenly appeared in my garden. It was a lovely surprise as I have had both primroses and cowslips for many years and it is the first time that they have produced a mixed off-spring and what wonderful plants they are.
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6 comments:
Great info, now if I can only remember it :) I'm so bad at remembering the names of plants and flowers. Even the stuff that I have growing in my yard
They are beautiful! I need to get to my gardening myself! I wish I could remember all the names like you do!
Huh...I am sure similar plants grow here. Thanks for the info!
I actually found two of what you call cowslip in my garden yesterday. I think I bought them at least 5 years ago and they finally bloomed. Nice surprise. Here, we call the marsh marigold the cowslip.
I am like Ann. Can't even remember the names of the flowers in our garden. My wife can. All I know is that these flowers are very pretty.
I was interested in your comment re: oxlip flowers all facing in the same direction, I have some from a reputable wildflower company, however they are very variable and only one of them looks like a 'true' oxlip or at least what I understood to be, but its flowers are very much a pompom many of the others are definitely P. elatior x vulgars. I'm hear because I too found a P. veris x vulgaris yesterday in a clump that came from a handful of seed I scattered from a few parent P. veris. As you say they are very beautiful. I'm told they're sterile unlike P. elatior x vulgars unfortunately. Thanks, Jim
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