I know I’ve said it before, but seeing “garden plants” in the wild really gives you insight into where they prefer to grow and at times how hardy they are.  Which in turn helps you determine where to place them in your own garden .

Spotted a few days ago at 1500m asl and growing and flowering together (at last for the camera) were Primula veris and Pulmonaria.  So often I’ve seen them apart, or one in flower but not the other and always at a high altitude.

Previous to this trip I would always have thought of them as being lowland woodland plants, but not in the Alps. Primula veris and the Cowslip, Primula vulgaris will grow on any bank given morning sun that doesn’t dry out.  They thrive on lawn banks and I am sure that lawns are specifically mown at just the right time, enabling them to flower above the grass.  Albeit, they are very short due to the cold conditions.  Pulmonaria appear to also enjoy living in the freezing cold as far as I can see – inhabiting 2000m asl quite happily and pushing their bright blue flowers out of the soil before their leaves appear.  I haven’t seen ANY down below 1500m.   This picture was taken at 2000m!  The same altitude that alpine crocus inhabit.