The ‘Primrose League’ was named in honour of the fact that the primrose was Benjamin Disraeli's favourite flower. The Primrose is perhaps the most loved flower in the UK where it grows naturally in the wild and privately as well in most British gardens.

Primroses are essentially herbaceous plants that are perennial and low growing. They are grown primarily in Western and Southern Europe as well as the British Isles. Primroses grow well in damp places, which are found in abundance in the warmer, wetter climate of the southwest of England. They are more commonly to be found in the woods, in road-side borders, in the embankments of railways as well as in the churchyards. Insects help in the pollination of the Primrose flowers.

Its Latin name is ‘Primula vulgaris’ and it is commonly known by the names of ‘Primrose’, ‘Common Primrose’ or the ‘English Primrose’. The flower is actinomorphic or ‘star shaped’. The colour generally varies from pale cream to deep yellow and the flower stands singularly on a long stalk covered by shaggy hairs. It is one of the earliest spring flowers you will see in the UK.

In the olden days, the Primrose was considered an important remedy in muscular rheumatism, paralysis and gout. The whole plant is sedative and is effective in extreme sensitiveness, restlessness and insomnia. It also has some expectorant qualities. An infusion prepared of the flowers was formerly considered excellent against nervous hysterical disorders. It also proves to be a remedy against nervous headaches. Apart from this, primrose is also used to make essential oils and to make perfumes.