View Larger Cowslip

Planted at Mount Vernon

Planted at Mount Vernon Upper Garden

  • Upper Garden

  • Hardiness Zones

    2 2 3 3b 4 4b 5 5b 6 6b 7 7b 8 8b 9 9b USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend 2 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

    This cute perennial forms small masses of green foliage with bright yellow or red flowers in the early spring. It is particularly sweet when planted with bulbs or other spring ephemerals in the front of the border.

    Latin Name

    Primula veris


    Family

    Primulaceae


    Also Known As

    Primula , English Cowslip , Fairy Cups , Tittypines ,


    Type of Plant

    Perennials Perennials

    Bloom Season

    April - May


    Seasons

    Spring Spring

    Specifications

    Max height Max Height: 0.75'
    Max spread Max Spread: 1'

    Uses

  • Flower Border

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Part Shade Part Shade
    Full Shade Full Shade

    Tolerances

  • Deer
  • Rabbit
  • Wet Soil

  • Attracted Wildlife

    Butterflies Butterflies

    Toxicity

    Harmful to pets Harmful to pets
    Skin irritant Skin irritant

    Colors


    Native Range

    Temperate Europe and Asia


    History

    Lady Jean Skipwith recorded English cowslips in her Prestwould, Virginia garden in 1793.


    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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