As soon as the first Crocuses start to bloom, I have to start checking every little corner for the earliest blooms. These Primula denticulatas, or drumstick Primulas, opened just today. Unlike some primulas they sprouted readily from seed and grew well despite the lack of rainfall.

Cowslips (P. veris) were some of my grandmother's favorite flowers, she grew them along the front of her foundation. I started out with some of her plants at my first house, but was not able to keep them going when I moved. This may be the year I order some seeds and get my own cowslips going. I have heard different stories about how cowslips got their name, some say their scent is milky like a cow's breath. Others claim it refers to the plant's preferred growing medium, which is not nearly as pretty.

I seem to have much better luck with common primroses (P. vulgaris hybrids).

They are a lot like cowslips with shorter stems. I have them in red, yellow, and mixed.

They are strong growers that can be divided in the fall and replanted everywhere. Potted primroses found in gift departments may well prove hardy in your area, as most are quite tough.

These Primula aricula alpinas are some I bought last year as plants.

They are unusual with their powdery leaves. They all seem to have survived the winter so far.