Primula vulgaris Sweetie - English Primrose

The Primula acaulis 'Sweetie' is a lovely stemless garden primrose with delightful, brightly coloured flowers, perfect for heralding an early spring. It blooms in three colours in January and February on a cushion of medium green leaves. Its well-opened, large flowers develop bright pink petals, irregularly margined with pure white, around a chartreuse green centre. This mix of vibrant and fresh colours is generous in the heart of winter. Plant it as a border plant or along a pathway, or in a planter on the balcony, ideally in partial shade, in soil that retains moisture.

The 'Sweetie' Primula is a perennial herbaceous plant in the primrose family, derived from the Primula vulgaris or Primula acaulis that can be found in our meadows and woodlands. It is a floriferous plant that forms a beautiful clump of luxuriant foliage in a few months, reaching a height of 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8in) and a width of 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10in). It develops persistent rosettes of spatulate, wavy, veined leaves, in a beautiful vibrant green. 'Sweetie' produces fairly large, well-opened flowers, just above the foliage, vividly coloured in three contrasting and distinct tones.

The 'Sweetie' stemless primrose is an easy plant to grow, ready to add colour to the greyest of winters and inspire thoughts of spring. In border plantings, under the cover of bushes, or in planters on a balcony, this plant pairs well with other early garden primroses, as well as with violets and late winter bulbs such as crocuses, snowdrops, and daffodils. The leaves and flowers are edible and can be consumed raw or cooked.

Benefits: they are the same as those of the common primrose and the oxlip: the flowers are soothing and calming, and are used in expectorant preparations. The leaves help prevent bruising, and the entire plant (especially the root) has analgesic, antispasmodic, diuretic, and expectorant properties.