Together with the crocusesPrimroses are the first signs of spring. If cared for properly, the flower will thank you with a splendor of flowers that adorn the flower box and flower bed from March to August. We explain when to plant the primroses and how to care for them properly.
Planting primroses: You should keep this in mind when buying young plants
The primrose family includes more than 500 species. TheFlowering time of the early bloomersvaries greatly and can be from two to six months. Most primrose varieties are not hardy; the young plants are grown indoors in winter. From mid-March, primroses can also be found in garden centers. Plants with lots of flower buds and five or six open flowers are best. The flowers should be well rooted in the pot. The white roots are a sure sign that the plants are strong and healthy. The young primroses should also have grass-green leaves.
When to plant primroses outdoors?
After a short period of getting used to them in an unheated room, the acclimatized primroses can be placed in the balcony box or flower bed.
Are the primroses perennial?
The primroses are perennial plants that, with good care, can thrive outdoors for up to 5 years.
Propagate primroses before planting
When the flowers wither in late summer, it is the right time to propagate the primroses. The annual flowers are divided with a spade and immediately planted in the flowerbed at least 30 cm apart.
Planting primroses: Choose the right location and prepare the soil in the flower bed
An important prerequisite for a long flowering period is the right location. Choose a sunny to partially shaded spot in the garden. The sensitive primroses cannot tolerate direct sun well. But a location in the shade is also unfavorable.
Loosen the soil and fertilize it before plantingPlant flowers. Add compost to the garden soil to provide it with important nutrients. If you want to plant the primroses in flower boxes, choose potting soil with clay as it can store water well.
The primroses prefer slightly acidic soil.
Planting primroses: instructions
Choose a frost-free day to plant the primroses. First check the ground: under no circumstances should it be frozen. If necessary, you can loosen it up a bit. Now is the time to remove weeds. Then work compost into the soil. Carefully remove the young plants from the transport pot. You can carefully remove the excess soil. Check the roots for diseases and pests. If you see any signs of infestation, you should discard the plant immediately. Now all that remains is to dig holes for the flowers and place them in the ground at a distance of 20 cm. Gently cover the roots with garden soil. Water the flowers with lime-free tap water.
Water primroses correctly
Primroses require a lot of water and can easily thrive in waterlogging. A good idea is to mulch the flower bed. This additional layer of mulch will prevent water from evaporating in warm weather.
The hybrids thrive best in high humidity. The native varieties have adapted to the climatic conditions of winter hardiness zone 7 and can also cope with longer dry periods.
Fertilize primroses regularly
Two weeks after planting, you can start providing the primroses with liquid fertilizer for the first time. Depending on the variety, you can fertilize the flowers every two to 4 weeks.
If you plant the primroses in pots or balcony boxes, it is sufficient to provide the flowers with slow-release fertilizer at the start of the season.
Also interesting:Decoration with primroses: Not only flower arrangements are possible!
Repot primroses
The primroses provide a splendor of flowers not only in the garden, but also on the balcony. As potted plants, they can take root in a short time. Therefore, it is necessary to repot the flowers every year before the start of the season. Don't use potting soil from spring, instead invest in a new substrate. Before repotting, make sure the containers have good drainage. You can also lay the bottom of the bucket with a layer of sand or gravel.
How long and when do primroses bloom?
The flowering time depends on the variety. Most varieties have a flowering period of six weeks. The primroses may take a little longer to produce flowers in the first year. This is mainly because transplanting and repotting slightly extend the growth phase of the flower.
Popular planting partners inGarden are ferns, hostas and astilbe. They have similar requirements for location and soil.
