It grows in woods, grass verges and meadows throughout Europe and western Asia.
Flowers are held on tall hairy stems above a rosette of wrinkled, bright green leaves. The umbel is one-sided and the flowers have a characteristic droop.
On closer inspection the bright yellow blooms sport an orange spot on each petal. A subtle sweet scent can be detected. Seed pods develop slowly inside the pale green bracts which surround each flower. Very occasionally, red and orange forms can occur.
Cowslip will grow happily in most soils except those that are water-logged; it will cope with periods of dryness once it is established and dislikes heavy shade.
The common name may have come from the observation that this primula would flower in pasture where cows had been grazing: the Old English word cuslyppe basically translates as cow slime.
Primula veris has a history of herbal uses such as a calming cowslip wine, a salad ingredient, and an infusion to drive wrinkles away.
It is often the most common of flowers that can be the most stunning and this lovely primrose is no exception. Flowering at present at Dunedin Botanic Garden, it grows on the top path of the rock garden towards the north end, in the Geographic Collections Himalayan border and in the lower botanic gardens Camellia sasanqua border.
Garden Life is produced by Dunedin Botanic Garden. For further information contact Robyn Abernethy.
