The cowslip (Primula veris), popularly known as the spring cowslip, the sky key or the meadow primrose, is one of the first messengers of spring with its eye-catching, bright yellow flowers.
When is the flowering time of cowslips?
The flowering period of the cowslip (Primula veris) extends from mid-March to May in northern and central Germany. The cowslip (Primula elatior) begins to bloom in March, while the stemless cowslip (Primula vulgaris) often blooms in February when the weather is good.
Primrose is one of the early bloomers
The perennial, which is native to almost all of Central Europe and Western Asia, welcomes spring in northern and central Germany from around mid to the end of March and shows its bright yellow flowers until May. However, in more southern climes, especially in Austria and Slovenia, this pretty spring bloomer can often be discovered as early as February.
Flowering times of the other cowslip species
The wild form of the cowslip (Primula elatior), also known as the forest cowslip, usually blooms from March, when funnel-shaped, light yellow flowers appear on the stems, which can be up to 15 centimeters high. The native stemless cowslip (Primula vulgaris) is a rosette-forming perennial. The leaf rosette of this plant overwinters and then begins to flower early - often in February if the weather is good. When it's hot or dry, the perennial sheds its leaves for up to six months, only to emerge with renewed vigor in the fall.
Tip
Primroses tend to hybridize - even with other, closely related primrose species. If you want to avoid hybridization, you should plan a safe distance between the species or remove the fruit heads in good time.
