Cowslip (Primula veris)

Cowslip (Primula veris)

Cowslip's common name comes from the Old English for cow dung! Another name for Primula veris was St Peter's Keys - the flowers were said to represent the keys to the gates of Heaven, and as such took pride of place in many Easter festivities. Primula veris is, typically, a plant of short grassland, so would have been associated with meadows grazed by livestock. Unlike many meadow flowers, this species flowers in the spring, bringing a welcome splash of yellow plus nectar and pollen for long-tongued bees and the odd spring butterfly. Cowslips thrive in well drained but moist soils, and need an open sunny site - in contrast with relations the Primrose, Primula vulgaris, and the rarer Oxlip, Primula elatior.

Cowslip seed needs a period of cold before germinating, so should be sown in autumn. Seeds are small, averaging 1000/g.

We supply Cowslip in our selected wildflower trays or seed mixes but we also sell it on its own here as seed, 55cc plug plants.

Supplier : British Wildflower Plants 
Our Cowslip plants and seeds have guaranteed UK provenance.