Primula eliator Veristar Yellow - Oxlip

The Primula eliator F1 'Veristar Yellow' is a hardy primrose that is appreciated for its particularly abundant spring flowering. The plant produces flower stems that each bear 10 to 30 pure yellow flowers, perfectly highlighted by dark green foliage. Beautiful in borders, it is also an ideal biennial or perennial for ornamental plantings. Plant it in a sunny, non-burning exposure, in soil enriched with compost, fertile and moist.

The Primula eliator, also known as the Oxlip or Woodland Primrose, is a herbaceous perennial that belongs to our native flora and is mostly found in the semi-shade of clear woodlands or forest edges. When abundant, this species, sometimes called the cuckoo flower, is an indicator of ancient forests, largely undisturbed by human activity.

Through hybridisation with the Common Primrose (Primula vulgaris), this plant has given rise to many short-lived perennial hybrids, often grown as biennial plants. This 'Veristar Yellow' primrose blooms in April-May, depending on the climate, for several weeks. On each plant, multiple flower stems, 25 cm (10in) in height, each bear numerous single, slightly fragrant flowers composed of rounded petals, in a vibrant yellow colour with a discreet centre. Their radiant colour is well highlighted by evergreen foliage in rosettes of large, deeply crinkled dark green leaves, decorative even outside the flowering period.

Eliator primroses are less well-known than stemless primroses, but they have their own advantages: they are taller, hardier, more perennial, and their flowering is also more spectacular. They are excellent companions for shade and cool semi-shade perennials such as heucheras, Brunnera, forget-me-nots, horned violets, and hostas. They can also be used to decorate the terrace, window, or balcony, planted in flowerpots that will brighten up spring scenes. They also hold up very well in a simple bouquet, mixed with forget-me-nots or early tulips.