Primula polyantha is a hybrid that is one of the most popular primroses.

When the snow starts to melt, one of the first perennials to make its appearance is the primrose.

Primula is derived from the Latin word “primus” meaning first or early. The two most popular primroses are Primula polyantha, which is a hybrid, and Primula alpina. Colors abound in these two groups including red, pink, purple, yellow, white and cream. These varieties like cool, moist, shady sites with soil rich in humus and will continue to bloom for a good part of the spring. Primroses are easy to divide after blooming by just separating them with a shovel or trowel. These primroses are not invasive while other primroses are not so well behaved; i.e., evening primrose.

The polyantha variety grows to about 10 inches high while the alpine variety grows to about six inches, which makes them an excellent choice for rock gardens. Primula japonica (Japanese primrose) is another great primrose that can get up to three feet high. “Miller’s Crimson” is an upright cultivar and will self seed. This variety can live near streams, bogs or any place with some shade and moisture.

Primroses are relatively pest-free, but occasionally spider mites may show up when the plants are heat stressed. If the plants are not getting enough air circulation, they may develop leaf spot, which shows up as brown lesions or yellowing leaves. If this happens, remove the infected leaves and make sure the plants have enough air circulating around them.

Fertilize primroses before they bloom with 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 balanced granular fertilizer. After blooming, you can re-fertilize. You can also use a liquid fertilizer on the plants while they are blooming. You can also deadhead the flower stalks to put more energy into the plant for next season.

When starting primrose from seed indoors, do so about two to three months in advance (with a view to transplanting them outdoors after the last frost of spring). The seeds should be mixed into soil and put in a plastic bag. Put the bag in the fridge for 20 days. The seeds should then be moved into the light, out of the plastic bag and germinated at 59 to 64 degrees; this should take from two to six weeks. They can be difficult to germinate, so you may want to visit local nurseries or purchase online.

More than 400 species of primroses exist — most of them in the cool, damp climate of the British Isles, New Zealand and our Pacific Coast states. The European primrose, Primula veris, is also known as cowslip.

This amazing plant is thought to have magical capabilities. One of the most interesting facts is that the scientists who study volcanoes have noticed that certain primroses open up their petals before a volcanic eruption. Shakespeare referred to the cosmetic properties of the primrose in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” while poet John Donne wrote “The Primrose” and Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote “To a Primrose.”

Poets write about it — gardeners love it!

Maryellen Walter is a member of the Butler County Master Gardeners.