Cowslip Primrose

Primula veris (Primulaceae) is a rosette-forming herbaceous perennial native to Europe, from England to the Urals. It grows 6 to 12 inches tall, producing clusters of nodding, tubular, fragrant yellow flowers on erect stems in early spring. The flowers emerge from crinkled, tongue-shaped basal leaves.

Cowslip thrives in part shade on moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. It naturalizes readily in meadows and woodland edges. The flowers have a subtle honey fragrance and are traditionally used in British wildflower meadow plantings. The species is deer resistant. Hardy in Zones 3 to 8.