Wild Primroses

I suppose strictly speaking, this should have gone under Wild Flowers, but I'm a newbie, so please bear with me.

Evoking such happy memories of my childhood with walks in the woods with my parents just after WWII when the sun always shone (?) , I love these dainty yellow flower heads!

Have some Wild/English Primroses (Primula Vulgaris) that I put into containers to transport from previous garden to here where I am living now and in the shaded spot they have been in for the last two years, they have thrived (multiplied and self seeded), but are now outgrowing their containers.

Two things I would like to know please if anyone can help:-

1/. Do I/Can I split the larger ones up, and when would be the best time to do this?

2/. Should I trim back the profuse foliage that they produce post flowering or (as you should do with daffodils etc.) leave them to “back-feed” (?) the plant.

 

Now is a very good time to split your Primroses Mr Middleton. All their work's been done and dusted so they are having a rest. It won't hurt to take off some of the leaves, just make sure that you fill any new hole with plenty of water and keep them watered well for a month or so. You will have lots of lovely new primroses to delight you next Spring,
Jenny

 

I agree with the good advice that Jenny has given.

 

Thank you both for your prompt replies and the advice Jenny - so shall I just remove some of the very big leaves around the edge of the plants, leaving most of the foliage?

 

yes, leave enough to protect the plant from the heat of this strong sun if you can,
Jenny

 

Thank you once again!

 

A lovely, much cooler day today. Got time to do that primrose job?
Jenny

 

I split up most of the primroses in my garden about three weeks ago and followed advice from the Beechgrove Garden crew. They cut the leaves to a third - I was a bit dubious but did it and I'm pleased to see they are regenerating well. Hardy little devils and a beautiful spring flower.

 

On my "to do" - too busy at the moment I'm afraid............

 

That is interesting - did you cut back all the leaves or just the giant ones that seem to sprout up around the edge of the plant?

 

I have wild spring roses on my land. I do absolutely nothing at all to them, yet every time I look there are more and more of them.

 

I wanted to make room for summer flowering plants and the primroses I separated and cut back are all in pots now and doing well. They'll go back out in the autumn.