Primroses (Primula) are often considered to be one of the first signs of spring and have previously been grown at Bangsbo in a large bed for themselves at the eastern edge of the botanical area, between the natural gulley at the eastern edge of The Botanical Area (a glacial-meltwater channel created as a result of the last ice-age) and the main eastern path up the slope.

It was decided that the bed with various species of Primula should be moved to a shadier spot and The Primula Bed is now situated at the western edge of the botanical area, under some of the garden’s collection of Sorbus trees. Nearly all of the garden’s Primula species have now been transferred to the new area but it is in springtime and early summer one can really appreciate these species growing in their new position. It will be exciting to follow these plants and see if the more suitable conditions result in better plant-growth.

Primula (primroses) is a genus of plants with about 550 species, spread throughout Europe, Asia, and North America, with a concentration of species in Asia. They are mostly perennial, or rarely annual, herbaceous plants.

Four species of Primula grow naturally in Denmark:

Oxlip – P. elatior, which is quite common in eastern Jutland and on the islands of eastern Denmark.

Cowslip – P. veris, which is common in most of Denmark except mid- and west Jutland.

Bird’s-eye primrose – P. farinose, which is found only in Northern Zealand and on the island of Bornholm – it is very rare and becoming more so.

Common primrose – P. vulgaris, is rather common in parts of Jutland and on many of the islands of eastern Denmark.