Primula elatior (Oxlip)
Oxlip, Great cowslip, True Oxlip, Bardfield Oxlip, Primula leucophylla, Primula lofthousei, Primula montana Opiz, Primula ruprechtii
Hardy and easy to grow, award-winning Primula elatior (Oxlip) is a semi-evergreen perennial favored by many gardeners with partially shaded gardens. It bears one-sided clusters of nodding, soft yellow, fragrant flowers, 1 in. across (2.5 cm), adorned with a darker heart. Blooming from mid-spring to early summer, the luminous blossoms are borne atop upright stems that arise from a delicate rosette of oblong-ovate, fresh green leaves. A sight to be treasured when planted in drifts or swathes. Perfect in a woodland garden or other naturalized area.
- Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
- Easily growing up to 10-12 in. tall and wide (25-30 cm).
- A part shade lover, it is best grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Full sun may be tolerated in cool summer areas.
- This plant is very versatile and can be mixed with spring flowering bulbs and other perennials in partially shaded beds and borders, in cottage gardens, or in naturalized areas.
- Deer and rabbit resistant but watch for aphids, vine weevils, slugs, leaf and bud eelworms, and glasshouse red spider mites. May be subject to a leaf spot and gray mold.
- Propagate by seed or root basal cuttings
- Native to Europe, southwestern Asia.
Requirements
| Hardiness |
4 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Primulaceae |
| Genus | Primula |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid, Late) Summer (Early) |
| Height |
10" - 1' (30cm - 30cm) |
| Spread |
10" - 1' (30cm - 30cm) |
| Spacing | 12" (30cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Semi-Evergreen |
| Native Plants | United Kingdom |
| Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
| Attracts | Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Alternative Plants to Consider
Recommended Companion Plants
Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens
By jan zalsky, Real Pix / Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
| Hardiness |
4 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 8 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Primulaceae |
| Genus | Primula |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid, Late) Summer (Early) |
| Height |
10" - 1' (30cm - 30cm) |
| Spread |
10" - 1' (30cm - 30cm) |
| Spacing | 12" (30cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Semi-Evergreen |
| Native Plants | United Kingdom |
| Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
| Attracts | Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
