These gorgeous nodding blooms are a perfect sunny yellow addition to your spring garden. Hardy throughout the UK down to -15°C.
Cowslip is a quintessential feature of the British hedgerow - so be sure not to miss it out in your garden! These cheerful, bright yellow blooms grow atop a long stem which sprouts from a bed of mid-green foliage. If you think it looks suspiciously primrose-like, you'd be on the right track - they are the same genus, so are quite closely related. Great for pollinators, a good all-round garden performer, and a fabulous dash of spring colour - what's not to love!
Semi-evergreen perennial
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Flower, clump forming
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Spring flowers, foliage year-round.
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Scientific Name
Primula veris (first little flower of spring)
Common Name
Common Cowslip, Bedlam Cowslip, Fairy Cup, Galligaskins, Herb Peter, Keywort, Lady's Keys, Palsywort, Primerole, Luck Flower
Origin
Native to much of Europe, including the UK, and parts of Asia and the Middle East. Extinct in Algeria.
Pruning Tips
No pruning required; you can let the flowers die back naturally towards the end of spring and enjoy the foliage all year.
Wildlife Value
Cowslips are a good source of nectar for butterflies and nectar-drinking moths, as well as food for some caterpillars. They are also good for bees and are on the RHS' list of plants for pollinators.
Positioning
Happy in full sun to partial shade, your cowslips will be happy in both sheltered and windy spots.
Water
Likes fairly moist soil when in bloom, but doesn't like to be soggy or sat in a puddle. Make sure the soil drains well and you shouldn't need to worry about watering extra except in drought conditions!
Soil
Make sure soil is well-draining and moderately fertile to keep your cowslip happy.
Food
Generally will be fine as long as there are some nutrients in the soil. They will benefit from annual mulching of compost to add this, or from the addition of tomato feed (feed high in potash) when they start to flower.
Pet-safe
No, this plant is toxic to cats, dogs and horses.
Sprouts Top Tips
Gardeners' World recommends covering the plants annually with compost, known as 'mulching'. This aids growth and improves the soil around your plants!
Extras
This plant has been given the RHS' prestigious Award of Garden Merit for its stellar all-round performance in the garden.
