Shakespeare planted flowers of the English countryside throughout his poetry and plays. He called his native England a ‚”sea-walled garden” and staged scores of plays in garden settings. He reached his Elizabethan audience through their familiarity with common plants.
From his frequent and accurate reference to plants and sharp observations of nature, scholars surmise Shakespeare was an active and avid gardener.
The common or English primrose, Primula vulgaris, mentioned in his plays was the wildflower lining the path Shakespeare took to visit and court Anne Hathaway at her farmhouse in Shottery. The cool-climate perennial primrose native to England’s woodlands, forest edges, and shaded hedgerows was considered a colorful and cheerful harbinger of spring. The word primrose means ‚”first rose” and refers to its early spring blossoming.
Imagine William Shakespeare, the gardener, wooing the ardor of Anne Hathaway with the primrose wildflower.
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Upon close inspection of the woodland species, Primula vulgaris, Shakespeare would observe that the low-growing primrose with a basal rosette of leaves resembles the growth habit of African violets.
Clusters of scented flowers 2-4 cm in diameter are born on single short slender stems to 15 cm tall. Most flowers are pale yellow or white but red and purple exist as well. Flowers have a bright yellow eye.
Dark green ovate to oblong wrinkly textured leaves are 5-25 cm long and 2-6cm wide. Leaves have scalloped or serrated margins and downy undersides.
The hardy wildflower performs best in its natural woodland habitat of mild winters, mild summers, shady environs, slightly acidic (6.5) pH, and compost rich moisture retentive soil. The forest setting provides a blanket of mulch for protection, insulation, and nutrition.
All’s well that ends well in a primrose garden. The low-maintenance plant is perfect for a playwright who spends much time away in London’s theatrical circuit. When placed in the right spot, primroses bring pleasure for years with very little labor.
If Shakespeare were to bring potted primroses to his love, he would have used woodland potting soil whereas today we would simulate the woodland soil with formulas of soilless mixes. He would recommend Anne place the potted primroses on windowsills in bright but curtain-filtered light, never full sun. Primroses should not be near fireplaces or wood burning stoves as heat dries the soil and plant tissues.
Happily situated indoor potted primroses will produce brightly colored flowers during dreary winter days.
No doubt Shakespeare noticed that primroses grow in colonies which slowly spread over the forest floor. In bringing potted primroses to Anne Hathaway he may have divided the roots of some specimens, a common propagation method. At times he may have just rooted leaf cuttings in water or woodland soil to form new plants. Wild primroses can self-seed or be started from seed dispersed by ants, rodents and humans.
The same pests found in modern gardens lurked in Shakespeare’s time. These perennial pests -aphids, weevils, nematodes, mites and mealy bugs – are easy to control. Diseases such as bacterial leaf spot, crown rot, root rot, leaf blight can be problematic as well.
The primrose path to Hathaway’s house was one of the optimum natural settings for this woodland plant. They are easily enjoyed right at your feet. Within a shady bed, along a
shady bank or pathway, primroses have the ability to cover ground with color and texture. However the primrose is ideal in rock gardens too.
The clump-forming primrose attracts bees and butterflies to a cottage garden or when used en masse in a dabbled shade border.
Wild primrose populations have declined in England with a decrease in habitat but the wildflower is not threatened with extinction nationally.
What Shakespeare might be surprised to discover is that Primula vulgaris provided the parentage for a wide variety of modern hybrids. Today Shakespeare might have a more difficult time deciding which cultivar to bring to his Valentine.
For a Valentine’s Day as you like it, give your special someone Shakespeare’s primrose or a hybrid heir of Primula vulgaris.
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