How to Plant Primulas

Primulas are also known as primroses and come in many different sizes and petal shapes. The smallest primulas grow to 8 inches in height, while the largest varieties can grow as tall as 40 inches. Many primula plant species are hardy at USDA hardiness zones 6 through 9. Chinese, German and Fairy primroses are hardy to Zone 10, and Polyanthus primroses are hardy at Zone 3.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Plant your primula plants in the early spring. They need an area that will give them plenty of sunlight in the spring and then some shade when summer temperatures climb. Accomplish this by planting primulas near a deciduous tree that has few leaves in the spring. As the tree grows thicker leaves in the summer, the primulas will have the shade they need to protect them.

2. Mix organic materials into the soil. This can mean adding compost, peat moss or other thick organic materials that will add nutrients and drainage to the soil.

3. Dig a hole that is deep enough to hold the root system without crushing it or bending the largest roots. The hole should not be so deep that the lower leaves of the plant will be buried. Place the plant's roots into the hole, holding the upper part of the plant out of it. Fill in the hole with the soil mixed with organic materials.

4. Space your primula plants 6 inches apart.

5. Water the transplanted primulas thoroughly as soon as they are planted. Keep the soil around the primulas moist by watering them several times a week. Add a 2-inch layer of mulch to help keep the soil around the primulas moist in between waterings.

References

• More About Growing Primulas