Primula vulgaris Huds.

Horticultural & Botanical History

An ancient garden plant.  Many brightly-coloured garden cultivars have been developed since Mediaeval times.  Johnson’s Dictionary lists nine varieties: alba, single white; plena alba; plena atropurpurea, double deep purple; plena carnea, double flesh-coloured; plena cuprea, double copper-coloured; plena rubra; plena sulphurea, plena violacea, and polyantha, many-flowered, also known as Polyanthus. 

‘I have retained the name P. vulgaris, by which the Primrose is universally known in this country, though by right of priority of nomenclature there is no doubt it should bear that of P. acaulis, which was applied to it by Linnaeus, who distinguished the form, although considering it as a variety, and not a species.  I should have adopted his name had it been generally known by it on the continent.  As it is, however, there is no unanimity among continental authors in adopting P. acaulis, so it is better to apply to the Primrose the name which British authors agree in calling it, confining myself to a protest in favour of the priority of Linnaeus’ name for this species.’  [English Botany pl.MCXXIX/1863-1886].

‘Primrose.  Primula veris.  The stalks grow to be eight or ten inches high; the leaves are a grass green & the flowers a pale yellow; and the roots a reddish purple.  It grows in thickets, and under hedges; and flowers in March and April.  The flowers are commended as good against disorders arising from phlegmatic humours.  The juice of the roots is used as an Errhine to purge the head of tough phlegm.’  [Blackwood pl.52/1737].

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [H.198/1843].  Macarthur requested double yellow and double white varieties ‘and any others besides double lilac and double purple’, in a letter to James Backhouse on 1st February, 1849.  It is not recorded if they arrived.  [MP A2933-1, p.183].

Notes