USDA Zones: 4-8. Thirty centimetre-high clusters of soft, lacy flowers come in white, pink, lavender and magenta and only last one season, from winter to spring. Sara – Images of wild primroses growing in hedgerows and dikes always remind me of Ireland. All the best, Generally, it’s one of the earliest perennials to flower. The plant has a fairly short blooming period, the individual flowers are only around for a day or so, they first open in the evening (hence the name) and are said to glow in the dark, unfortunately they wither and die the following day. Roots were only used when dried, and a special infusion of the roots was used to treat headaches. Another old superstition claimed if you ate the blossoms of a primrose you would see a fairy. White primrose flowers are usually given to symbolize sadness and mourning. Mairéad, I really enjoyed reading this post!! And being a versatile herb, this little plant was used to cure both “man and beast.” Horses with coughs received a nasal treatment of crushed dried primrose roots strained in milk. Mairéad. The primrose may be a small blossom, but in days gone by it was considered a symbol of safety and protection. Better known is Primula malacoides, the fairy primrose — both are relatives of the humble cowslip. Flower Symbolism the mystical magical meanings of flowers... pg 3 Flowers tell a story of mystery with their beauty, some are elegant, some are cute, some are full and lush, imagine walking though a field of flowers, each and every flower unique and beautiful in it's own way, different hues dancing in the light of the sun. by Sophie Kihm Winter baby names for the child born when the snow is falling and the weather is chill populate this list. Some of these winter names, like Neve, Frost, and Snow itself, refer to the season's weather. Their resourcefulness is truly admirable. Consider the bright and flashy primrose flower if you have a sunny garden patch in need of vibrant color. See more ideas about white converse, my style, style. If you’re planning on giving someone a primrose flower, read this article first – it’s sure to open your eyes. Hi Mairead, perfect conditions for primrose in Ireland, here in the Northeast you will see pots and pots of primrose cultivated in greenhouses, blooms bursting, but, with little hope of a successful future. Thank you for this unique, wonderful read. The English believe that, if you bring these blossoms home, you need to do so in groups of 13. Enjoy all the blossoms of the season. Primroses were never brought indoors if the hens were laying eggs or hatching indoors. Even in days gone by our ancestors were worried about retaining their youthful good looks. Fragrant primrose oils were used to purify and anoint during these ancient rites of the Druids. It was lovely to discover the primrose was so important to our forebears. Information About Primroses Primroses are among the earliest flowers to bloom in spring, providing spots of cheerful color while winter is fading away and most blooming plants are still dormant. A delicate, yellow-tinged center that looks not unlike an eye. Then an Easter display, and coming up soon, filled with spring flowers from the landscape, it will mysteriously appear on the doorstep May1. This name derives from two latin words meaning “first rose”. What a wonderful book that would be. tall (7-10 cm). I’m sure northern Italy is beautiful in spring. Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) is a biennial and collecting the roots while it is still spring means you get sweet, succulent and somewhat fleshy root. Loved this post, Maread!. I hope if you ever visit Ireland in spring, you’ll spot a few primroses peeping out of the hedgerows. – I’m so glad you enjoyed this little trip down the primrose path. When ceremonies and rituals were held to honor her, petals of these flowers were displayed on her altars. They squeeze out between tiny cracks and crevices, catching the eye with a showy display of yellow. Anyone who might return from this legendary land would always carry a bunch of primroses. In the H. E. Bates book and 90's British TV series, The Darling Buds of May, there is a character named Primrose … I wasn’t one bit surprised to learn this wild flower of Ireland was considered sacred by our Celtic ancestors who believed it held the keys to heaven. Traditionally primroses, together with yellow gorse shrubs, were used to decorate the door and threshold on May Day (Là Bealtaine). Except maybe the Lenten Rose Hellebore. What pretty flowers! It’s a symbol for inconstancy. Rebekah is a writer in upstate New York, just north of the Adirondack Mountains. Because of this etymology, primrose flowers are often seen as representations of youth and everlasting existence. The name primrose comes from the Latin prima rosa meaning “first rose.” That said, the primrose is not closely related to the rose-rose we all know from the Rosa genus.Nor is it to the evening primrose (Oenothera).Nor to the Streptocarpus cape primrose that grows in southern regions of Africa. Late spring to late summer, Mexican evening primrose will produce fragrant pink blooms with yellow centers. These are hothouse primroses, no doubt–hybrids of all colors of the rainbow. Primula definition is - primrose. And so there you have it, a quick round up of Irish primrose superstitions and lore. In addition to the connection of this flower to youth and longevity, it has many other meanings, too. I’d never seen one before until my first trip to Ireland in Feb 1990. The Primrose is an excellent plant for partly shaded landscapes around the world and for late winter and early spring flower interest. — ExpressNews.com, "Calvin Finch: More good flowers for winter garden color: primrose, stock, sweet peas and pansies," 19 Nov. 2020 There is another shade-blooming winter annual to consider along with cyclamen: primula. Thanks for stopping by, Whether you treat it as a trusty perennial or an annual plant to brighten up a room indoors, primrose delivers gorgeous color with its blooms. Mairéad, Mairead, believe it or not, the primrose is the very first sign of spring here in the Pacific NW. And there they grew wild in the hedges & ditches as you said. This name derives from two latin words meaning “first rose”. Primrose (Primula polyantha) refers to the wild flower plant from the genus Primula. So much education you’ve provided us in Irish history.