This winter's warmer temperatures have allowed them to thrive. Primroses are a perennial, but in Utah often seem like an annual, because they die out after a year or two, Goodspeed says. To understand why they are not always successfully grown in our gardens, we need to understand what the optimum conditions are for their survival. Most primroses are found in mild, wet climates, he says. England is known for its beautiful primroses that bloom throughout the spring and early summer.
Many native primroses grow naturally in some older gardens in England.
They also flourish in the Pacific Northwest and on the East Coast. All these places are known for their mild, moist climates. Primroses also do best in soil that is high in organic matter, he adds. In Utah, this can be accomplished by adding as much organic material as possible to our flower beds. This also makes the soil a bit more acidic, which is another primrose favorite.