One of the most rewarding European primula for cultivation, Primula marginata can be grown outside on the rock garden or a raised bed or in a trough, or grown under glass as a plant for showing. The thick stem branches frequently, so that the plant makes a dome of fleshy, toothed leaves, lightly covered with farina. Flower stems hold the heads of lavender flowers above the foliage.

Primula marginata 'Drake's Form' has beautiful lilac-purple flowers, with a dark eye, above the glaucous-green, toothed leaves.