Croatia has been a true eye-opener when it comes to woodland plants.  Another of our favourites – the “Primrose” has always been thought of as ‘English’.  It does grow wild in England of course and we did find some poor half shrivelled ones in Andalucia last year – really not the ideal conditions for the fair Primrose – but I hadn’t thought too much about finding them in Croatia and Slovenia.

In both countries they can be found hugging the sides of the roads, tucked tightly amongst rocks so they simply don’t fall out and emerging from people’s lawns!  Anywhere on a dampish bank that gets only morning sun you’ll find hundreds of Primroses.

In other areas, in similar conditions you’ll find “Cowslips” or Primula veris or its subspecies.  But never have we seen them together?  Often they are both found growing with Viola Adriatica which makes a beautiful pairing.