Primula veris ‘Cowslip’

Garden Ready Plants:
Garden Ready Plants can be planted straight into their final position. If you can't plant them immediately, keep them in a bright, sheltered spot and make sure they don't dry out.

Plant in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Water the plants before planting if the rootballs feel dry, then plant at the same depth they were growing in their tray. Gently firm the soil around the roots and water thoroughly.

When planting in autumn, keep plants watered while they establish if conditions are dry. Growth will naturally slow as temperatures fall, with plants establishing their roots ready for flowering in spring.

Cowslips are wonderfully versatile, but look particularly at home where they can be allowed to grow naturally amongst other plants or through grass.

Wildflower and wildlife gardens:
Plant in small groups amongst other native and wildlife-friendly plants, where their spring flowers provide both colour and an early source of nectar for pollinating insects.

Grassy areas and banks:
Cowslips are ideal for naturalising through sunny grass, banks and less formal areas of the garden. Avoid positions where vigorous grass or weeds are likely to overwhelm young plants while they're establishing.

Beds and borders:
Plant towards the front of borders or amongst other spring perennials, where the upright flower stems can rise naturally above the lower-growing foliage.

Partial shade:
Cowslips will also grow in light partial shade, making them useful for planting around the lighter edges of trees and shrubs where the soil remains well drained.

Top tip:
For the most natural effect, plant cowslips in loose groups rather than evenly spaced rows. Over time they'll look increasingly at home amongst grass and other spring plants.

Cowslips combine beautifully with other spring flowers, particularly plants that share their relaxed, natural character.

For a wildlife-friendly or meadow-style display, grow them alongside other native wildflowers and spring-flowering plants. Primroses make lovely companions in areas of lighter shade, while violas can add lower-growing colour around the edges of beds and borders.

Spring bulbs such as crocuses, dwarf daffodils and species tulips add another layer of colour, flowering amongst the cowslips without taking away from their natural appearance.

Top tip:
Keep the planting informal. Repeating small groups of cowslips amongst bulbs and other spring flowers creates a much more natural effect than planting them in a straight line.

Keep newly planted cowslips watered while they establish, particularly during dry autumn or spring weather. Once established, plants generally need little attention unless conditions become particularly dry.

After flowering, leave the foliage in place while it remains green. The leaves continue feeding the plant and help build up energy for the following year's flowers.

If you'd like your cowslips to spread naturally, leave some of the finished flower stems in place to allow seed to develop and disperse. Alternatively, remove spent flower stems if you'd prefer to keep plants contained and tidy.

Foliage may die back or become less noticeable later in the year. This is part of the plant's natural growth cycle and fresh growth will emerge again for the next season.

Top tip:
When growing cowslips through grass, avoid mowing the area immediately after flowering. Give the plants time to finish their growth and, if you want them to naturalise, allow seed to ripen before cutting the grass.

Garden Ready Plants:
Supplied in trays of 12, Garden Ready Plants are well-established young plants that can be planted straight into their final position. Plant them into beds, borders, wildflower areas or grassy areas and allow them to establish before their main flowering display in spring.