Planting Primroses

Primroses ~ Primula vulgaris

NGAG Volunteers planted some native primroses, Primula vulgaris and re-introduced some native bluebells Hyacinthoides non-scripta on Newington Green. Both plants are quintessential English woodland Spring flowers and it will be good to see them growing on the Green.

Primroses have pale yellow petals, with a dark yellow eye and the flowers light up the shaded areas that they tend to grow in. They also have a lovely, delicate perfume. The name Primrose comes from the Latin Prima rosa, which means 'first rose' and these woodland edge flowers are some of the first to bloom in Spring, offering all-important nectar to early bees and bee flies. They are also a food source for brimstone and green-veined white butterflies.

Bluebells come into flower after primroses. Our dainty indigo-coloured native bluebells used to grow in the local area when it was far more wooded then now and they are struggling to survive as they compete with the much larger and paler Spanish bluebells which have been brought into gardens and then tend to interbreed with our native species.

As well as being beautiful local native flowers that need our support to survive, bluebells have been planted on the Green as they also provide pollen and nectar to bees, wasps and other insects.

The plants were bought from reputable sources and were not taken from the wild, which is illegal.

5 April 2010.