An early Spring herbaceous perennial, with yolk yellow bell shaped short stalked flowers, on stems up to 30cm high seen from April to June. The leaves are in a Basal rosette, arranged around the base of the flower stem, long oval shaped wrinkled and hairy underneath.
Locally common, in central and southern areas of the UK, Cowslips are often found on open unimproved calcareous grassland, other places include Roadside verges, Embankments, Gardens and tracks.
Cowslips provide a welcome nectar source for Butterflies, Bees and many other insects in early spring, it is also an essential larval food plant for the Duke of Burgundy Butterfly.
Cowslip (prumula veris) close-up of flowers
Cowslips (primula veris) growing in a Wild Flower Meadow
grow Cowslips from seed
Grow Cowslips (Primula veris) from seed, they are available from Thompson & Morgan, for more information Visit Thompson & Morgan Here
Plant Information
- Name: Cowslip (primula veris)
- Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Also Known As: Herb Peter, Fairy Cups
- Where: Found locally through-out Britain except far north of Scotland
- Habitat: Often found on – Meadows, Roadside verges, Embankments, Gardens and tracks.
- When does it flower? April to June.
- Fruiting: n/a.
- Height around: 30cm.
- Larval Food Plant: Duke of Burgundy Butterfly (Hamearis lucina)