Primula veris

European Species Primroses: Primula veris, Primula vulgaris, and Primula elatior

Primula veris, the Cowslip

Primula veris, the cowslip, is a European wildflower that bears nodding, bright yellow flowers in the early spring. They are very hardy and fairly tolerant of unfavorable conditions.
On the roadside near my house, Primula veris has self-sown and mingles with blue and white violets, grape hyacinth, dandelions, and other spring flowers to create a display that is literally a traffic stopper.
The illustration on the left is Millet's Primroses (1867-1868).

Primula elatior, the Oxlip Primrose
P. elatior is a small but vigorous wild primrose with more open flowers than the cowslip and a softer, butter-yellow color.

Primula vulgaris, the Common Primrose
This charming flower is altogether too uncommon in American gardens. It bears soft yellow flowers on individual stems. To the left is an illustration from William Curtis' Flora Londinensis (1798). The original is in the Chelsea Physic Garden.
To the right is a seedling at Mountain Brook.

Primula veris, the Cowslip

Primula elatior, the Oxlip Primrose

P. elatior is a small but vigorous wild primrose with more open flowers than the cowslip and a softer, butter-yellow color.

Primula vulgaris, the Common Primrose

This charming flower is altogether too uncommon in American gardens. It bears soft yellow flowers on individual stems. To the left is an illustration from William Curtis' Flora Londinensis (1798). The original is in the Chelsea Physic Garden.
To the right is a seedling at Mountain Brook.