The first spring Primrose on the river Lingaun
Primrose along the river Lingaun
Nature Photography : Nigel Borrington
At the end of June 2013 I posted about the “last of the Primrose” , well its hard to believe that its a full year since the first Primrose’s flowered in 2013 but these wonderful little river bank flowers are back again.
These Primrose grow beside the banks of the river Linguan as it works its way down towards the river suir, at Carrick -on-suir. I take Molly our golden retriever here for a swim in the rock pools, its a perfect place on a spring day.
I found the following information about Primrose’s :
Botanical Information
Primrose Flowers
Primroses grow on shady river banks, and in woods and hedges and are common in Ireland. The characteristic rosette of green crinkled leaves appears first in March. The flowers then come up on individual stalks and open in the month of April. The flowers have five pale yellow petals.
In some flowers the stems are very long and the centre is small – these are called thrum flowers. If on the other hand you are looking at a flower with very short stem, it is called a pin flower.
They are perennial flowers, which means that they survive from year to year and grow again every Spring without having to be planted.
Folklore
Primroses were very important to farmers long ago for their cows. The butter-making season began in May and in order to be sure that the cows would produce lots of milk for butter, primroses were rubbed on their udders. In other houses primroses were scattered on the thresholds of houses before dawn on May day to protect the butter from the fairies.
Primroses were also associated with hens and the laying of eggs. It was considered unlucky to bring primroses into the house if eggs were being hatched there.
Primroses were often gathered and given as a gift. However it was considered to be very unlucky to give just a single primrose, whereas a very full bunch would be a protection against evil spirits.
Primroses bloomed in Tír na nÓg and people returning from there in the old Irish legends always brought primroses as proof that they had been there.
In folk medicine, rubbing a toothache with a primrose leaf for two minutes would give relief from the pain. It was also widely used as a cure for jaundice.
Poem
What is a Primrose?
To the question, “what is a primrose?”
There are several valid answers
One person says,
“A primrose by the river´s brim”
A yellow plant was to him, just that.
Nothing more.
Another, a scientist, says,
“A primrose is a delicately balanced
Biochemical mechanism requiring
Potash, phosphates, nitrogen and water
In definite proportions”
A third person says they are,
“Primrose of spring from the gods”
All these statements are true.
Primrose along the river Lingaun, Gallery
Nigel Borrington 
One of my fave spring flowers.
April 29, 2014 at 3:48 pm
Hello Elen 🙂
That’s great , its brilliant to be at this time of the year 🙂 🙂 🙂
April 30, 2014 at 2:02 pm
So Lovely 🙂
April 29, 2014 at 5:13 pm
Hello Morgan 🙂 🙂
Thank you Very pleased you like the post 🙂 🙂
April 30, 2014 at 2:02 pm
I love the crinkly foliage on these little flowers and also their smiling bright faces amidst the creamy white petals.
I hope Molly found some primroses on her own little path. 🙂 🙂 🙂
April 29, 2014 at 7:09 pm
Hello Sharon 🙂
She did Sharon and a few sticks to chase into the water 🙂 🙂
Thank you !!! 🙂
April 30, 2014 at 2:04 pm
Well, regardless or who’s more right than who else, the primroses are simply breathtaking, Nigel !
April 29, 2014 at 11:51 pm
Hell Margaret 🙂
Thank you, very pleased you like them so much 🙂 🙂
April 30, 2014 at 2:05 pm
Such beautiful pictures Nigel. It is a crisp morning in the S.E. of Qld. Down Under. They think it is Winter! it is only about 17 deg C. The sun is shining and blue skies. Hope your day is an enjoyable one. Just love all the pics you post. Especially the standing stones!
April 29, 2014 at 11:52 pm
Hello Lynette 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you , very pleased you liked the images and thank you for your wonderful comment 🙂 🙂
April 30, 2014 at 2:06 pm
Exquisite!
April 30, 2014 at 12:20 am
Hello Rene 🙂 🙂
Thank you !!!!!!
April 30, 2014 at 2:07 pm
Just lovely.
Spring at its best.
April 30, 2014 at 1:30 am
Hello Vicki 🙂 🙂
Thank you , yes its is 🙂 🙂 🙂
April 30, 2014 at 2:08 pm
Oh, I adore primroses… and of course Molly too! : )))
May 9, 2014 at 4:07 am
Hello Anne 🙂 😉
Thank you , I always feel they are the first sign of spring 🙂 🙂 🙂
May 12, 2014 at 8:29 pm
Mr. Dog is quite photogenic … I think he knows it, too 🙂
May 10, 2014 at 5:00 pm
er… Miss Dog ?
May 10, 2014 at 5:01 pm
Hello 🙂 🙂
Yes and she says thank you for noticing 🙂 🙂 🙂
May 12, 2014 at 8:19 pm
🙂
May 12, 2014 at 8:56 pm