cottage garden plantings, and is widely available as seeds or young plants. It grows best in moist but well-drained soil in light shade. It is increased by seed and division. The throat is usually coloured rich yellow. Primrose breeding of named coloured varieties became popular in the nineteenth and early twentieth century. Numerous cultivars have been selected for garden planting, often derived from subsp. sibthorpii or hybrids between the subspecies; these and other garden hybrids are available in a wide range of colours, including white, yellow and red, or brown and red in all gradations as well as dark red, pink, purple, dark brown and dark blue, and with an extended flowering season. The term Polyanthus, or Primula polyantha, refers to various tall-stemmed and multi-coloured strains of P. vulgaris × P. veris hybrids. Though perennial, they may be short-lived and are typically grown from seed or from young plants as biennials. AGM cultivars The following have received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit: Primula vulgaris Primula vulgaris subsp. sibthorpii (Sibthorp primrose) Primula vulgaris subsp. vulgaris Primula vulgaris 'Taigetos' Use Both flowers and leaves are edible, the flavour ranging between mild lettuce and more bitter salad greens. The leaves can be cooked in soup but preferably with other plants because they are sometimes a little strong. The leaves can also be used for tea, and the young flowers can be made into primrose wine. In the past the whole plant and especially the root were considered to have analgesic, anti-spasmodic, diuretic and expectorant properties. It contains small amounts of saponins, and was given for colds. Primula vulgaris foliage contains significant amounts of vitamin C. Primrose flowers, and the flowers of related members of the Primulaceae are often removed from their stalks and scattered on the ground by green finches apparently consuming the ovaries and nectaries. Culture The primrose was Benjamin Disraeli's favourite flower; Primrose Day and the Primrose League were given their names in honour of this. Primroses also appear as a charge in heraldry, for example the coat of arms of the Earl of Rosebery. Italy chose a fuchsia primrose as the symbol of its 2020 COVID-19 vaccination campaign. The primrose is on one side of Austria's 5 euro cent coin. Primrose Yellow exists in some paint and color systems and is named after this flower. Gallery References External links vulgaris Flora of Europe Flora of North Africa