Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Bouquet Perfect™ Mix Primrose: A Shade Bed of Assorted Spring Color
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The Bouquet Perfect™ Mix primrose tray is a blend of colors from the same series: pink, yellow, orange, red and white, often with a small yellow eye or a contrasting edge. Every plant forms a rounded dome of large, clean flowers about two inches wide, so a group in bloom looks like a row of small hand-tied bouquets.
Like all primroses, these are shade plants. They will not grow in your lavender bed, but they are a quick way to bring the shady side of the garden to life in April, long before the lavender season begins.
At a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Primula vulgaris Bouquet Perfect™ Mix |
| Flowers | Assorted colors, about 2 inches across |
| Size | 5 to 8 inches tall, 10 to 12 inches wide per plant |
| Bloom | Early to late April, extended by sterile flowers |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 8 |
| Light | Part sun to part shade, or full shade |
| Fragrance | Mild |
Planting a mixed drift
A mix looks best in numbers. Plant in loose groups rather than a single straight line, and space plants about 10 to 12 inches apart so the domes just touch when they fill out. Scattering colors at random gives a cottage, wildflower look; grouping similar colors together as they bloom the first spring gives a calmer, more designed effect.
Good spots include the shaded foundation on the north side of the house, a woodland edge, under deciduous trees that leaf out after the primroses bloom, and mixed spring containers or window boxes. In a lavender garden plan, this is the April color in the shade beds; the sunny lavender rows take the stage in June. Sketch both zones in the Companion Plant Planner.
Care
- Soil: rich in organic matter, evenly moist, never waterlogged.
- Bloom season: pull off faded flowers to keep each plant tidy.
- Summer: keep watering through July and August. Primroses may go semi-dormant in heat, which is normal.
- Planting time: get new plants in by early fall so roots establish before winter.
- Winter: a light leaf mulch in exposed spots reduces frost heaving; soggy soil causes crown rot.
- Dividing: split crowded clumps after bloom every few years, which is an easy way to sort colors if you want to rearrange them.
Slugs, aphids and spider mites are the usual pests. Good spacing helps prevent gray mold in muggy weather.
Ordering format
The mix is offered as a 72-cell plug tray, which is plenty for a generous shade planting or a season's worth of spring containers. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose the colors?
No. The tray is an assortment, and colors vary across the plants in each order. If you want a single color, the series also comes in individual colors.
Will they come back next year?
Yes. They are hardy perennials in zones 4 to 8 when the soil stays moist but drains well over winter.
Do deer eat primroses?
They are moderately deer resistant. Hungry deer in early spring may still sample them.
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