This is Primula elatior, a semi-evergreen perennial with erect stems bearing clusters of yellow flowers with a darker centre emerging from a rosette of foliage. It can reach up to 30cm in height with 10-30 flowers on a single stem.

Native throughout Europe across to Russia, Primula elatior thrives in moist, Calcium rich yet nutrient-poor, sheltered areas and meadows. In the UK this species is rarely seen outside of East Anglia due to this you are probably coming across Primula veris or Primula veris x vulgaris. However Primula elatior is distinguishable as the flowers are more prominent hanging to one side, unlike the other two species where flowers are distributed all around the stem.

The plant pictured above is at The Cambridge Botanical Gardens in the Apline glasshouse. Covered in aphids this specimen was still beautiful, to learn more about Primula species see my page on Primula vulgaris.