Primrose (Primula vulgaris)
Flowers: March to June. Height: 20cm (8in).
Common names include Golden rose, Lent rose, Easter rose, and Butter rose. The name comes from prima rosa, meaning first rose in medieval Latin as it was one of the first flowers to appear in the spring. The Romans held that primroses were given to the earth in memory of a son of the goddess Flora, while Celtic peoples believed the flower to be sacred, representing renewal and the return of abundance. The flower’s original association with Brigid, the goddess of rebirth, was modified in Christian times by linking it with St Bride with bunches of primroses being offered to her on 1st February, (also the date the pagan festival Imbolc). In medieval times, the flower was dedicated to St Agatha, and was ceremonially gathered by children on the 13th March. In later Christian legend it was dedicated to St Valentine. Chaucer’s poem ‘Parliament of Fowls’ contains the first reference to Valentine’s Day as being a romantic occasion and there was a medieval Valentine’s saying:
If you see a bluebird you will marry a happy person
If you see a goldfinch you will marry a rich person
If you see a sparrow you will marry a poor person
If you find a glove your future beloved will have the other one
Medicinal: An astringent and sedative, it was prescribed for a wide variety of ailments including to treat wounds, headaches, skin lesions, coughs, rheumatism, for reducing fever, spasms, cramps and paralysis and was also added to wine as a cure for palsy. John Gerard, in his book The Herball (1597), believed that “Primrose tea drunk in the month of May is famous for curing the phrenzies”. A hundred years later, Culpeper’s Complete Herbal (1653) stated “Of the leaves of Primrose is made as fine a salve to heal wounds as any I know.”
Culinary: Young leaves, either raw or cooked as a potherb, were added to soups and stews and its flowers made an attractive garnish to salads.
Magic & Myth: The Primrose was used as a love oracle as it represented inconstancy and a lover’s doubts. It is also associated with safety and posies of primroses were left on the doorstep to encourage fairies to bless the house and anyone living in it.
