Northwest Blooms · Groundcovers
Primula veris 'Sunset Shades'
Sunset Shades Cowslip
- Family
- Primulaceae
- Height
- 10 to 14 in
- Width
- 10 to 12 in
- Flower color
- Rich red to deep crimson blossoms with contrasting yellow centers, held in nodding clusters above the foliage
- Foliage color
- Medium to deep green, softly wrinkled, oval to spoon-shaped basal leaves
- Bloom time
- Mid to late spring
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Moderate moisture
- Maintenance
- Low, remove spent flowers to extend bloom and tidy foliage after flowering
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4 to 8
- Wildlife
- Early-season bees
About this plant
Primula veris 'Sunset Shades' bears nodding, bell-shaped flowers held in rounded clusters above a low rosette of softly crinkled green leaves. The blooms open in rich tones of crimson to wine red, often shading darker toward the throat, creating a warm, cohesive display through the clump. The foliage remains compact and textured, providing a tidy base that supports the colorful flowers throughout the spring flowering period.
Blooming from mid to late spring, this cultivar comes from garden selections of a European meadow species. It suits woodland edges and naturalized borders, where its warm flower colors mingle with bulbs and early perennials.
Works well in
Woodland Gardens · Borders · Pollinator Gardens · Containers
Companion plants
Acorus · Skimmias · Astilbe · Blechnums · Carexes · Heucheras
Design tip
Plant this colorful primrose in naturalized drifts along woodland edges where its warm blooms mingle with spring bulbs and emerging perennials. Layer flowering shrubs, graceful ferns, and contrasting foliage to create a vibrant woodland planting with depth, texture, and seasonal rhythm.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at Heronswood Garden.
