Perennial of the Month-- March 2004 
Perennial of the Month-- March 2004
(Prim' uu-lah) (pronunciation at link, turn up volume if too low)
Common name: Katy McSparron Cowslip Primrose
Family: Primulaceae, Primrose
Height x width: 10-12" x 16"
Growth rate; habit: moderate, low mound
Foliage: 3" to 6" long, elliptic (elongated oval) to obovate, medium green, crenate margins
Flowers: fragrant, double, golden, held in tufts about foliage, long bloom (May-June in USDA zone 4)
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8, AHS heat zones 7 to 3
Soil: moist loam, more moisture in warmer climates; will wilt in, but tolerate, some drought
Light: part shade especially from afternoon sun in warm climates
Pests and problems: none significant, may rot if too wet, too light colored leaves may indicate too little fertility
Landscape habit, uses: shade gardens, fronts of beds and borders; combines well with carpet bugle (Ajuga), foamflower (Tiarella), Lungwort (Pulmonaria), heartleaf saxifrage (Bergenia), hellebores, spring bulbs, and in front of taller ferns and Siberian iris
Other interest: a hybrid from about 12 years of cross breeding and hand pollination from Geoff Nicole of Wales, UK, being named after his granddaughter; first new double-flowered form in about 300 years; common name from the fact the species (veris) is often found in the UK on uncultivated meadows used for cattle grazing
Other culture: may need to divide at home every 2-3 years if excellent growing conditions, otherwise seldom needed
Propagation: patented so commerical propagation by licensed propagators
Sources: a Blooms of Bressingham introduction, available from their retailers and commercially from their propagators