Wild Flower Cowslips

Wild Flower Cowslips.  The famous meadow and hedge row plant of simple beauty. Fragrant lemon yellow pendulous blooms. Easy to grow in sun or part shade. Flowers spring.  Contact with the leaves may cause skin allergy to some people with sensitive skins.

Height 23cm (9in). 

Sow

February – July

Flowers

March – May

How to Sow

Sow late winter onwards in good seed compost. Sow seed on surface of compost and gently firm. Seal in a polythene bag or cover with a piece of glass and place in a shady spot but do not exclude light which is beneficial for germination. Keep the soil damp but not wet. Germination usually takes 10-15 days at 15-18°C (60-65°F), higher temperatures can prevent germination.  Transplant when large enough to handle in 7.5cm (3in) pots. Grow cool and fairly moist and later plant out 23cm (9in) apart in good soil, sun or part shade.

Culinary note

Some parts of these flowers are edible. Try the sweet tasting petals on top of salads or even pancakes, crystallise them for use as cake decorations too.