Species of the month: February

Species: Wild Primrose

In February, we can still be in the grip of winter or the weather can turn and the first signs of spring may appear.  No species demonstrates this better than the wild primrose (primula vulgaris), one of the earliest spring flowers to appear in the UK.

Wild primrose is widespread in Kent and can be seen on damp grassy areas.  In gardens and parks they can often be found in association with daffodils, but they can also be seen on many countryside walks that feature hedgerows and woodland. If you are lucky, you may come across whole areas carpeted with them!

The Latin for primrose translates as "first rose", but the primrose is most closely related to the cowslip, another yellow flower which can be seen later in spring.

The flower of the primrose is pale yellow with an orange centre; these flowers are supported on hairy stalks, which in turn are surrounded by a rosette of large tapering leaves.  The primrose plants can range from 10 - 30 cm tall

It is at night time that pollination takes place, the primrose attracting moths rather than butterflies.  By the end of May the flowering will be over for another year.

How you can help:

Wild primrose are not just pretty to look at, they support numerous moth species. 

For the gardeners out there, wild primrose can be easily propagated and this is a great opportunity to have a native species in your back yard and help wildlife.

Plants and seeds of Primrose are very widely available from garden centres, nurseries and mail order companies, although be careful to get the true wild primrose (primula vulgaris) and not a hybrid!  An important note, please don’t take primrose or any other flower from the wild, leave them for other people to enjoy and insects to feed on.

Please send us any records of wild primrose, specifying the date and location and details such as the number of plants that you see.

What else to look out for in February: 

During the month of love, look out for the spectacular courtship display of great crested grebes.  The two birds will engage in a “mirror dance”, rising up in the water, presenting vegetation in their bills and flicking their heads from side to side simultaneously.  This species can be seen on areas of open water; Bewl Water is particularly well known Kent site for great crested grebes.