Eggarton Cottages, Eggarton Lane, Godmersham, Kent, CT4 7DY
Tel/Fax: 01227 730242
Hardy perennial. Pretty pale yellow flowers with orange-yellow centres on 6 in (15 cm) stems and rosette of fat leaves. Traditional early-year cottage garden flower, flowering possibly as early as late-December to May. Its name comes from the Latin for "First Rose". Used in ancient times to treat paralysis and gout and was believed to be a flower originating in Paradise. The flowers can be made into jam and wine. The five petals represent birth, initiation, consummation, repose and death. Six-petalled Primrose brings luck in love and marriage. Also known as Butter Rose. Name comes from prima rosa, meaning first rose of the year.
Primrose flowers are of two kinds - pin-eyed, with the style above the stamens; and thrum-eyed, with the style below the stamens. For successful pollination, pollen from a pin-eye plant must reach the style of a thrum-eyed plant, or vice-versa.
Butterfly plant. Particular food plant of the Pearl Bordered Yellow Underwing, Lesser yellow Underwing, Double Square Spot, Ingrained Clary, Silver Ground Carpet, Green Arches, Gothic, Riband Waved, Plain Clary, Twin Spot Carpet and Triple-spotted Clary moths. Duke of Burgundy fritillary butterfly caterpillars feed on the leaves. Ants are attracted by the sticky seeds and aid their dispersal.
Primroses are pollinated at night by moths attracted by the bright petal colours. Hundreds of years ago, these plants were grown for their medicinal and sweetening qualities, for example, it was believed that stem juice rubbed onto the face removed spots and freckles! Legend says that Primroses sprang from the body of Paralisos (the Primrose's ancient name) after he died of a broken heart. It was also alleged that if children ate the flowers they would see the fairy folk! It was lucky to bring 13 Primroses indoors but unlucky to bring in only 1. Indeed, to bring indoors less than a handful would surely endanger one's ducklings!! Victorians used to plant Primroses on the graves of children, and herbalists used to use the root to make an expectorant. If you keep chickens and see a single primrose, dance round it three times in order to avert ill omens - otherwise a single Primrose will lead to bad egg laying. A Primrose blooming in winter is an evil omen. Romans used the plant to treat malaria.
There is a lot of Primrose folklore attached to the ability of Primroses to let people see fairies. If you touched a fairy rock with the right number of Primroses in a posy you will be shown the way to fairyland. The wrong number would lead to certain doom. A German legend tells of a little girl who found a doorway covered in flowers and touched it with a Primrose - it opened up into an enchanted castle. Germans also believed that Primroses could reveal the way to hidden treasure and called the plant Key Flower - schusselblume. Children used to eat the flowers in the belief that this would enable them to see fairies. Posies would be left on doorsteps so that fairies would bless the house and the people in it. As well, scatter Primroses outside doors to keep fairies away as they won't cross this barrier. Don't let Primroses die as they are popular with fairies. Carry a Primrose flower and peer over the petals in order to see fairies. Leave a Primrose on the doorstep on May Day eve to prevent witches entering.
In Ireland on May Day, Primrose balls were hung on cows' tails to deter witches. In Hampshire, woodmen boiled Primroses in lard to make an ointment to treat injuries. Bunches of Primroses would be left in cowsheds so that fairies would not steal the milk. Primroses can be made into a tincture for restlessness and insomnia. For animals, Primroses can treat fits, paralysis, rheumatism and worms.
Plant in sun or partial shade in rich, moist soil. Will do well beneath trees, shrubs or hedges. Divide every three years after flowering. Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering.
*This sheet is provided for information only and is in no way a prescription for use. Please seek the advice of a qualified herbalist before using*