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can I prune my primroses

B3B3 Posts: 27,456

Wild primroses all over my garden. They are talking up space needed for summer planting. I don't want to lose them but can I prune them?

In London. Keen but lazy.
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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,128

    How lovely image if you cut them back you'll weaken them - they'll soon begin to die back.  Can you plant around/amongst them?

    Alternatively can you set aside part of the garden for wildflowers that can be left to go over, and move them there - leaving the other part of the garden for more formal planting/


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    I have just Chelsea chopped some of mine right back to the ground, we do this every year and they come back stronger each year. Different opinions though!.

    When my dad told me to do this, I thought it couldnt be right, but it is for us here anyway. The Denticulata particually benefit from the chop.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,441

    I grow the natives, P. veris and vulgaris, cowslip and primrose. They seed into grass paths and get mowed, often before they've finished flowering, but they come back every year



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,456

    Thanks everyone. I think I'll cut back half of them, leave the rest and see what happens!

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,441

    Seems a good plan B3, make a note of what you did then you can repeat the best method for next year



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • MadalienMadalien Posts: 2

    Hi. It' has been a couple of years, so no idea if you'll see this, but I'm fascinated to find out what results the experiment produced B3!

    " I think I'll cut back half of them, leave the rest and see what happens!"

    I found this thread because I was wondering if the plants would be weekend by getting mown after flowering, but going on the experience of folks here it sounds like they don't..

     

     

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,441

    Mine are still increasing Madalienimage



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • MadalienMadalien Posts: 2

    Good to know nutcutlet.. thanks for the speedy response! 

    (Oh dear, I see I wrote weekend instead of weakened.. I'll blame that on the fatigue after a day of gardening image

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,614

    We have wild primrose in the lawn next door, it gets mowed intermittently, and they are increasing. Cowslip on the motorway banks are also on the increase.

     

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