Primrose Flower Meaning

Primrose is a group of small flowering plants from the Northern Hemisphere that bloom in early spring. They are native to England, the Alps, the Himalayas and China. The cave primrose is found in the southeastern corner of Utah and in northern Arizona. The botanical name for primrose is primula.

Primula or First Rose

A common characteristic among the primroses are their early blooming. The "prim" in the name comes from the Latin prima, which means first. One meaning given to primrose or primula is first rose of the year: prima rosa. Diana Wells, author of "100 Flowers and How They Got Their Name," calls the primrose the flower of first love.

"I Can't Live Without You"

Traditionally, a primrose means "I can't live without you." A primrose gift will tell your significant other, "I am yours forever." The ultimate in romantic gifts, a primrose shows your enduring love.

Evening Primrose is Not a Primrose

The evening primrose is not a primula but an oenothera. It blooms in summer and has more upright habit. It has yellow flowers that bloom only at night. While the primrose suggests enduring love, the evening primrose signifies inconstancy.

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Information on Primroses

Primroses, the common name for about 450 to 600 species of plants belonging to the genus primula, thrive throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Gardeners value primroses for their beautiful flowers, which come in many colors. In addition to flourishing in outdoor gardens, many species of primroses make excellent greenhouse plants.

Name
The primrose typically blooms in early spring in Europe and, as one of the first plant to blossom in the new year, derived its name from the Latin word for first "primus." Despite the name, not all primrose flower early in the growing season. Some wild primroses growing on mountainsides bloom in late spring or early summer after any snow has melted.

Description
Most primroses live for more than two years, which makes them perennials, but a few biennial species exist as well. The majority of plants reach about 10 to 20 inches high, with some species only growing about 5 inches high while others may reach 4 feet high, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica. Flowers bloom in many colors and the blossoms can appear in clusters or singly on the end of a stalk. Most species thrive in well-drained, moist soil and prefer a climate with cool summers.

Farina
Some species of the primula genus produce farina. Farina, which comes from the Latin word for flour, refers to tiny white or yellow hairs that can cover parts of some types of primroses. Why these primroses bear farina is not known for certain. Some scientists theorize that the farina protects the plant from the excessive heat of the sun. Certain primroses that prefer shade also produce farina, however, so the question remains unresolved.

Growing
Most primroses do best when grown in acidic soil amended with peat moss to help retain moisture and in a location with partial shade. In the United States, primroses generally flourish in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 3 to 9. The plants may die in excessive heat or if they do not receive enough moisture. Watch carefully for such pests as slugs and spider mites. You might need to divide your primroses after two or three seasons.

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