WILDFLOWER: Wild Primrose

Common name: Wild Primrose

Latin name: primula vulgaris

Wild or common primrose is a pale yellow flower with tough, green, leathery-grained leaves which are normally evergreen. The can appear as early as February and last until May.

They are an ancient flower and recognised from roman times as one of the earliest plants to come into flower (hence the latin name primula - meaning first). In old Irish folklore they were commonly mentioned, and people would hang a string of primroses around their doors for good luck in Spring.

They love a slightly shaded position (easier to find in Feb-April as the leaves are not yet on trees and hedges), and slightly damp soil, meaning they love hedgerows, river banks and the crevices in old stone walls.

At Esdale they are widespread under our Hawthorn and Ash Hedges, and run all along the banks of a stream which is planted with native trees - birch, willow and alder. The stream can flood in very wet weather, so it shows they can resist being totally submerged for a period of time.