stupid question about primroses

[sittingatmydeskagain]

We have millions on primroses in our garden, and they grow like weeds. Very pretty in the spring, but I've always wondered what to do with them after they have finished flowering?

Do they self seed from scratch, or are the plants the same ones that flower next year? Do you leave them, or pull them up like forgetmenots?

Told you it was a stupid question

The only stupid questions are the ones you already know the answers to! I am watching with interest coz I dont know either?

They do flower the next year. I leave them but for clumps that are getting a bit congested you can slit them and make more plants. They will self seed as well and you get new plants frm that too.

Thank you. They just seem to be everywhere, but not doing much, this time of year.

OP what kind/colour primroses have you got? I love plants that self seed, need some primroses for my garden but confused by all the different varieties.

I gave a few different colours, but the most prolific are the light yellow ones.

Light yellow are the nicest as they are the native hedgerow species. Leave them where they are and they will spread and flower again next spring.

In the autumn you might give thought as to what to plant to flower with them in March and April, such as narcissi, snowdrops and crocuses.

We also have quite a few, and I cut them off to ground level to get rid of the leaves (which as you say, can be messy the rest of the year.

If you like to do a lot of work, you can dig them up, move to a spare 'nursery bed' and replant ready for next spring, but easier to cut over. Cutting off dead seed heads can reduce self seeding.

A nice dark purple one is Primula Wanda, but they can cross-breed and lose their colour.

Autumn flowering cyclamen are very easy, and will self seed. Hellebores, and pulmonaria will go with primroses.