Fight the winter blues by growing a hint of spring indoors

Le t It Grow

By Tammy Thornton

If you’re anything like me, you’re done staring out of the window at a bleak, dormant garden. Dreams of soft pink roses blooming over the arbor seem like a memory too far away to grasp. But take heart, did you realize that spring is next month? The evening of March 20, to be precise. When you think of it that way, spring seems within reach, and we just need to fight the winter blues for a little longer. Growing spring flowers like primroses indoors might just be the pick-me-up that you need to get through the last few weeks of winter.

Primroses come in all ranges of cheery colors. They are among the first spring flowers to bloom. In fact, their name can be translated as the

“first roses” of the season. This time of year, you can find these happy little flowers at the grocery stores and garden nurseries marketed as houseplants. However, these dainty flowers are actually tough perennials that can survive the cold of winter and come up smiling in the early days of spring. Even so, you don’t want to send these greenhouse-coddled babies to the cold just yet. Primroses that you find available in the stores this time of year have most likely been forced to bloom as houseplants, earlier than they would in nature. Enjoy their happy flowers throughout the house for a taste of spring while everything outdoors is still dormant.

When grown indoors, primroses should bloom for a few weeks. Be sure to snip spent blooms (deadhead) frequently to maximize flowering. They will want bright but indirect sunlight as a houseplant. Keep them well-watered but, like most indoor plants, also well-drained. Soggy soil and “wet feet” will lead to root rot. They should only be grown as a houseplant temporarily, since they were born to live in the great outdoors. Once spring is in full force, you can plant these babies in the ground in your garden.

When transplanting your primrose outside, keep in mind that it has been living the pampered life and will be shocked when going from your warm cozy dining room to the harsh realities of early spring weather. Wait until the threat of frost is over and gradually “harden off” your plant. This primrose may or may not rebloom, since it had been tricked into blooming early. However, once your primrose adjusts to its new outdoor life, it should revert to its normal cycle of bloom the following season. This only applies to primroses that have been grown as houseplants. Primroses sold at garden nurseries in spring should be hardy plants that relish the cold weather. In fact, once it gets too hot, the foliage will die down, and the plant will go dormant.

Plant primroses in a partially-shaded area of the garden that only receives morning sun or filtered sunlight. They will be very happy in a dappled sunlight woodland garden. Though they go dormant in summer, you will probably see the rosette leaves reappear when the weather gets cooler again in early fall. You may even receive the gift of a few flowers. Place a little protective mulch around the plants before winter freezes set in.

For now, enjoy a little hint of spring indoors while dreaming about your future garden. One word of caution, primroses are mildly toxic to pets. If you have a nibbling kitty around, you will want to place your primrose in a safe place. You may want to use a glass cloche which will provide good humid conditions for your plant, while protecting your furry friend. Just be sure to keep the cloche from direct sunlight so you don’t bake your primrose.

We would love to hear from our readers. How do you fight the winter blues? What’s your favorite indoor flower? Kindly send your comments, pictures, and questions to: shorelocalgardener@gmail.com.

Tammy Thornton is a mom of four, a substitute teacher, and a Sunday school teacher. She is passionate about gardening and cooking, and loves the beach.