Primula

Primrose – Primula species

Now the bright morning star, day’s harbinger

Comes dancing from the East, and leads with her

The flowering May, who from her green lap throws

The yellow Cowslip and the pale Primrose.

                                                                         -from Song of May Morning by Milton

Primrose, first-born child of Ver

Merry spring-time’s harbinger,

With her bells dim.

                                                                -from Two Noble Kinsmen by Shakespeare

Primula as a genus or plant group, has over 500 species and are classified and arranged into various groups. Information on these classifications can be found starting here.  We will take a look at those most common and familiar.

Primula vulgaris

 The English Primrose, Primula vulgaris (Latin for “first one” and “abundant or common”, respectively), has been the quintessential harbinger of spring in Britain, as evidenced in the writings of Milton, Shakespeare and numerous other writers of the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries. Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932), famous British landscape designer wrote:

“More than half a century has passed, and yet each spring, when I wander into the primrose wood and see the pale yellow blooms, and smell their sweetest of scents, . . . for a moment I am seven years old again and wandering in the fragrant wood.”

Forbes Watson, 19^th century garden writer wrote:

 “It is the very flower of delicacy and refinement; not that it shrinks from our notice, for few plants are more easily seen, coming as it does when there is a dearth of flowers, when the first birds are singing, and the first bees humming, and the earliest green putting forth in the March and April woods; and it is one of those plants which dislikes to be looking cheerless, but keeps up a smouldering fire of blossom from the very opening of the year, if the weather will permit.”

The leaves of this plant, and all Primulas, grow in a basal rosette, meaning a cluster of leaves growing in a circle which remain close to the ground. The leaves are a light, fresh “spring green” color and are crinkled. The fragrant, pale yellow flowers rise singly on long stems. Purple and blue variations can sometimes be found growing wild.

As a flower of early spring, it is not surprising that in the Victorian Language of Flowers, primroses represented early youth and young love. It was said that if a young woman were to come across a primrose before Easter, while out in the fields, she would be married that year. In Catholic symbolism the primrose is a flower of mercy and compassion. If a sinner passed one by, the primrose would assist him and save his soul.

Primula veris

The Cowslip, Primula veris (Latin for “first of spring”), also mentioned by Shakespeare, bears clusters of small yellow blossoms held on a central stem above the rosette of crinkly bright green leaves.

The flower clusters resembled a bunch of golden keys and were once believed to point the way to hidden treasure and open the locks of castles. Another common name for this plant was Paigles, which was an old Anglo-Saxon term referring to St. Peter, who held the keys to the Kingdom of God. Himmelschusslechen is the German term for this plant and means “little keys to heaven.”

The primrose (including cowslip) was used medicinally through the centuries to treat several ailments, including as a sedative and to “strengthen the nerves.” It was used as a tonic for the complexion. In the kitchen, wine has been made from the flowers. Flowers are also candied and used to decorate cakes.  The flowers may be brewed into a tea or can be eaten fresh with cream. The leaves are added fresh to salads or boiled as a potherb.

Popular Primrose species cultivated as garden flowers are:

Primula polyanthus

P. polyanthus – brightly colored flowers of pinks, blues, red, white and golds with a yellow center. These are the primroses most often seen in the United States.

Primula auricula

P. auricula – available in many colors with a contrasting center. The leaves are evergreen. This variety was very popular during the Victorian era.

Primula japonica

P.  japonica – this variety produces very tall stems holding large clusters of white, pink, crimson and purple flowers.

Primula malacoides

 P. malacoides – Fairy Primrose – grown as an annual or potted plant, the small flowers in clusters on tall stems are available in pastel shades of pink, lavender and white.

Primroses grow best in rich moist soil in partial shade. 

Note: This article was written by me for the blog 12 Months in View. All photos are from Wikimedia Commons. Click on the photo for a link to the original location. A bibliography of the reference books I used is available upon request.

Daffodils - Narcissus species

“A house with daffodils in it is a house lit up, whether or no the sun be shining outside. Daffodils in a green bowl – and let it snow if it will.” – A. A. Milne

Daffodils, one of the first flowers of spring, are a large group of perennial plants which grow from bulbs.  Many hundreds of varieties are available today ranging in size from 4 to 20 inches (10-50 cm) tall. Flower size can be anywhere from a half inch to five inches (1-13 cm) in diameter.  Daffodils come in various combinations of pale and bright yellows, white, cream, shades of pink, salmon, apricot, orange and green. Flowers are most often single, consisting of the corona (cup or trumpet) and perianth (outer petals), but there are double flower varieties in which the corona is filled with ruffles.  Some varieties are fragrant (most notably the jonquils), while many others have no scent. Stems may hold one large blossom, or clusters of two to six smaller flowers. 

Daffodils were once a symbol of death. The ancient Greeks associated the flower with the myths of Narcissus and Pluto and Proserpina. The ancient Egyptians placed the brown skins of the bulbs over the eyes of the Pharaohs in burial. It was during the Middle Ages that the daffodil became a Christian symbol of Christ’s resurrection and the promise of eternal life. In Victorian times, the Language of Flowers was a popular way to send messages to friends and suitors. The daffodil represented regard and the jonquil stated, “I desire a return of affection.”  The narcissus is also well loved in Asia. In China it is regarded as a sacred flower and symbolizes purity and promise. For the Japanese, the narcissus represents mirth and joyousness. 

It is thought that the common name, daffodil, is derived from the Old English word affodyle which means, “that which comes early.” Daffodils, depending on variety, bloom in March, April and May. The scientific name, Narcissus comes from the Latin word narkeo which means “to be stupefied”. Narcissus bulbs are poisonous. They contain lycorcine, a chemical that paralyzes the heart and numbs the nervous system.

Narcissus are native to Europe and the Mediterranean. Narcissus pseudonarcissus, the Wild Daffodil, is one of the national emblems of Wales. Jonquils, a type of narcissus consisting of clusters of several small flowers per stem, were much loved by Queen Anne of England. It is said that her love of these flowers inspired her to create Kensington Palace Gardens, which was the first public garden in England. Daffodils were brought to America by the British colonists. Thomas Jefferson, an avid gardener and pioneering horticulturist, among his many other achievements, planted several species of narcissus at both of his homes, Monticello and Poplar Forest. 

Daffodil plants are very easy to grow. Plant them in full sun or partial shade in well drained, moderately fertile soil. Set in flower beds, along the front walkway, under deciduous trees (where they will receive needed sun before the trees leaf out) and in the vegetable/cut flower garden.  Narcissus varieties are a good choice for gardens exposed to deer populations. Whereas tulips are candy to them, they do not like the taste of daffodils and leave them alone. Bulbs are planted in early autumn, usually four to six inches (10-15 cm) deep, or twice as deep as they are tall, and spaced at least a bulb width apart. For a natural look, stagger the placement of the bulbs. Since it is best to plant at least a dozen or so bulbs for an effective display, it may be easiest to dig a large hole and place them in all at once with the roots down and tips facing up. Gently and firmly add soil around them. It is possible to add a layer of crocuses or grape hyacinths (at a depth of three inches/7.6 cm) above the daffodil bulbs. Water after planting and regularly until frost. 

It is most important to cut the flower stems after the blooms have faded (unless you are growing the plants primarily for the seeds) and to allow the foliage to remain in place until they have naturally turned yellow, which usually happens in June.  This is common advice given when you read about the planting and care of daffodils and all bulbs for that matter. The reason being is that the leaves create food that is stored in the bulb so that next year, magnificent blossoms will again appear. If daffodils and other hardy flowering bulbs are thought of as perennials, which they are, it is easy to observe this practice and even question why it is so often stated. The reason may be that in public settings, landscapers cut the foliage back after flowering and immediately plant annuals to keep the floral display going.

When the plantings of daffodils become dense with foliage it is time to divide them. This may be done once the foliage has turned yellow, or in early autumn (be sure to mark the location in the spring.) Gently dig them up, separate the bulbs which have grown off the main bulb and plant them in a new location or give them to a friend. 

Once you have an ample supply, be sure to cut some and bring them inside to enjoy, just as A. A. Milne did.

Note: This article was written by me for the blog 12 Months in View. A bibliography of the reference books I used is available upon request.