Primroses – When To Plant

Q: My sweetie gave me beautiful blooming primroses for Valentine’s Day. What do I do with them? Do I plant them outside now or keep them inside until spring?

A: The bright colors of primrose are eye-catching in nurseries and in landscapes now. Although they are technically perennial plants, most Southern gardeners class them as “annual perennials”. Whether due to summer heat or swings of temperature in winter, primroses don’t seem to last outdoors here more than a year or two.

Unless yours came from a florist and are unaccustomed to cold, plant them outdoors now. Primroses need a partially shaded spot plus well-drained, rich soil. Sprinkle pine straw mulch over them if we have severe cold and enjoy them for as long as they last.