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Primula elatior

Oxlip

Family PrimulaceaeGenus Primula

Nodding heads of pale yellow tubular flowers on tall hairy stalks, rising from rosettes of crinkled green leaves.
FlowerRobert Flogaus-FaustCC BY 4.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Herbaceous PerennialExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
perennialPlants of the World Online
Height
0.5-1 ft15-30 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
0.5-1 ft15-30 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Gold/YellowExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SpringExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Belgium, Brussels-Capital Region, Flemish Region, Walloon RegionGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
4-8Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, MoistExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • Elatior means "taller". The name oxlip, from "ox" and "slip", may come from the way oxlips and cowslips are often found in boggy pastures grazed by cattle. Wikipedia: Primula elatior

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 15, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    2 germinated in this phase.

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    18 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 2 run on after germination.

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

26% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Primula p. 197Public domain
Show the original text
Primula. (Primulaceae). The discovery of a photorequirement in P. elatior (V) gave about the same pattern of germination for either fresh seed or seed DS 6 m at 70 or 40. Germination extended over many cycles and was still t,.t .. -199- continuing after 18 m. Typical patterns were 70(2%)-40(26%)-70(18%) and 40(9%)- 70(2%)-40(4%)-70(9%).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Primula p. 197. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    2 germinated in this phase.

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    4 germinated in this phase.

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    9 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 1 run on after germination.

Germination happens during step 1; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

9% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Primula p. 197Public domain
Show the original text
Primula. (Primulaceae). The discovery of a photorequirement in P. elatior (V) gave about the same pattern of germination for either fresh seed or seed DS 6 m at 70 or 40. Germination extended over many cycles and was still t,.t .. -199- continuing after 18 m. Typical patterns were 70(2%)-40(26%)-70(18%) and 40(9%)- 70(2%)-40(4%)-70(9%).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Primula p. 197. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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