The primrose is the sacred flower of Freya, the Norse goddess of love. The name Primrose comes from the Latin Prima Rosa,  the ‘first rose’ referring to the spring flowering period of  the plant and its early flowers are always a welcome in Castle Bromwich Graveyard. The five petals of the flower represent birth, initiation, consummation, repose and death, whilst a rare primrose with 6 petals is said to brings luck in love and marriage. We decided from the outset of our project that we wanted the graveyard to be a natural habitat and one that would encourage wildlife. Primroses seemed an essential element of the planting mix.

Common names: – Oxslip, Butter Rose, Jack in Box, Jack-in-the-Green, King-Charles-in-the-Oak, Lady’s Frills, Milk Maid, Plimrose, Primorole, St. Peter’s Wort, Summeren, Spink, May Spink, Summerlocks.

The primrose has long been associated with natural burials and was a common symbol of death in young women. Perdita, in Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale”, speaks of:

…pale Primroses

That Dye unmarried, ere they can behold

Bright Phoebus in his strength (a maladie

Most incident to maids)

The reference in this lovely speech is to chlorosis – the green sickness, or maid’s malady, which, until as late as the 19th century was often fatal. There was a legend that young unmarried girls who died from this anaemia – of which one sign was a yellow-green complexion – were turned into primroses. So, it seemed fitting to us to ensure that Castle Bromwich Graveyard should reflect this association.

Primroses are also a fairy flower. People used to believe that Primroses growing outside a house would protect them from adversities and attract fairies. It seemed logical to us that they could also therefore protect people on their journey to the afterlife.

They were also used for medicinal purposes, sometimes being worn on the lapel to ward off madness or used in its treatment. The 17th century herbalist Nicholas Culpeper recommended primrose root juice “snuffed up the nose” for nervous disorders, and they have also been used for treating spasms, cramps and rheumatic pains. The plant contains salicylates – an ingredient of aspirin. An ointment made from the plant can be used on cuts and grazes.