Primula, one of the best ground cover plants

Often relegated to the role of winter-spring bedding plants, Primula possess qualities that make them uniquely valuable as some of the best ground cover plants. Their ability to self-seed provides free plants and natural gap-fillers, adding a touch of romantic charm to unexpected corners of the garden.

*Primula vulgaris* (primrose) with daffodils in spring. Here the pale yellow natural form is growing with the more cultivated pale pink form.

Best ground cover plants for mixing with taller perennials

Primula’s low-growing nature and shade tolerance make them ideal for filling bare soil areas in herbaceous or mixed shrub-herbaceous schemes, reducing the need for constant weeding. Their non-competitive nature allows them to coexist harmoniously with taller plants, making them perfect for new plantings where they can gradually fill gaps as other plants mature.

Primula self-seeding in a gravel pathway.

With a long flowering period, starting early in the year, Primula provides a valuable source of nectar and pollen for pollinators. Their adaptability to both wet and dry conditions further enhances their versatility as some of the best ground cover plants for any garden.

The Primula genus boasts between 400 and 500 species, found in diverse habitats across the northern hemisphere. The UK is home to several native species, including the common primrose (Primula vulgaris) and cowslip (Primula veris).

The common primrose with its pale creamy flowers, thrives in shady banks and woodland edges. It blooms from late winter through spring. Numerous cultivars of this species are available for colorful displays in baskets and beds.

*Primula vulgaris*, the common primrose. Here, naturalised in a grassy bank.

Cowslip, with its deeper yellow flowers held aloft on stems, offers a more vibrant display than the common primrose. Often found in flower-rich meadows, especially in chalk or limestone regions, cowslip blooms from February to June-July.

*Primula veris*, known as cowslip, naturalised within a taller planting scheme where it provides spring colour and shade-tolerant understory ground cover.

Ground cover plants for adding colour to wet areas

The tall primula bedding plants, are commonly known as polyanthus. They are hybrids of primrose and cowslip, bred for their showy, often garish colors. While not as subtle or long-flowering as native species, Primula ‘Harlow Carr’ hybrids offer stunning, show-stopping blooms. They are one of the best ground cover plants for wetland areas.

*Primula* ‘Harlow Carr Hybrids’ in a damp boggy area.

In conclusion, Primula species offer a wealth of benefits for gardeners. From their self-seeding nature and shade tolerance to their early flowering and adaptability to various conditions. By incorporating these versatile plants into your garden design, you can create beautiful, low-maintenance, and wildlife-friendly spaces.

Owen Hayman

Owen joined the Bestall & Co planting and aftercare team in spring 2019. He is an RHS qualified horticulturist, holding a full Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture, and recently came in the top 3 at the Northern Regional Final of The Young Horticulturist of the Year 2019. After first doing a foundation diploma in Fine Art, he went on to gain a degree and masters in Plant and Soil Science from the University of Sheffield in 2014. Owen worked as a researcher on various field research projects in Alaska, Panama and Borneo. When not away in the field, he became obsessed with visiting gardens and nurseries across the British Isles and the Netherlands, developing his own garden, and then taking on a walled allotment garden as a personal project. He realised his true passion was in horticulture, and so moved away from academia and into the world of specialist plant nurseries and professional gardening.

Owen is now studying the Wisley Diploma, but continues to write articles for us on a monthly basis, and we're delighted to maintain contact with such a passionate and knowledgable plantsman.

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