Primula - Exploring Gardens

Family - Primulaceae

No other plant heralds spring better than the Primrose. Almost all Primula thrive in shaded locations with rich soil on the moist side. Pests to watch are slugs and root weevil, otherwise they are easy and carefree.

Auriculas - Aristocrats of the Primrose World . With their tight rosette like growth, fleshy grey green foliage and intense flower colours the Auricula hybrids have always caught peoples attention. This group of primula are more drought and cold tolerant than others. Many are show Auriculas, this means they have outstanding flowers. Grow in slightly alkaline soils, dividing and replanting every 3-4 years.

Vulgaris hybrids - Sparkling Gems of the Garden. Old fashioned primula, hardy, reliable. Not over-bred like the primula sold at the grocery stores of today. These are brilliantly coloured double primroses some looking like miniature roses, some with large pom pom like flowers. For best care plant in rich moisture retentive soils in shade to semi-shade, neutral to slightly acid soil. Divide and replant every 3-4 years.

	Primula auricula 'Camelot' Zone 4. An old double flowered variety that has deep velvety royal purple flowers. Striking, bunches of miniature roses.
	Primula auricula 'Chorister' Zone 4. Bright canary yellow self with a frosty white center. Easy to grow and does well on the show bench. 1967.
	Primula auricula 'Dales' Red' Zone 4. A garden Auricula, easy to grow and adaptable. Single crimson flowers with a flush of violet and a cream center.
	Primula auricula 'Marie Crousse' Zone 4. Rich violet double flowered. Neat and compact habit of plant and flowers.
	Primula auricula 'Matthew Yates' Zone 4. Deep burgundy almost black double. Would be wonderful in a container or set against Millium effusum 'Aureum'.
	Primula auricula 'Rowena' Zone 4. Single flowered powdery lilac pink edges, deep maroon purple middle and sulphur yellow center. Popular and reliable show bench auricula.
	Primula auricula 'Sirius' Zone 4. A very popular auricula due to its colouring and size of flower. Edges are a creamy with a hint of green middles deep velvety purple and the center bright yellow. Single flowered. Easy to grow.
	Primula auricula 'Standish' Zone 4. Unusual double flowered auricula. Pastel peach almost cream with a lime yellow glow to the center.
	Primula auricula 'Susannah' Zone 4. Frosty lavender pink with a touch of peach. The colouring and double ruffled petals are like a Fancy Victorian Silk dress. Large flowered and an easy grower makes it suitable for most any garden. 1972.
	Primula auricula The Baron' Zone 4. A variety that is an old timer on the show bench that still stands up well to modern competition. Bright yellow self, single flowered. Typical white center and solid yellow petals.
	Primula auricula 'Trouble' Zone 4. Large double, light coffee coloured. Easy to grow.
	Primula auricula hybrids Zone 4. A special selection of auricula hybrids with large flowers in a range of colours: purple, red, yellow with cream centers and some with edges. Height15cm. Space 20cm. Many are fragrant. These primula are more tolerant to drought than other primula. Prefers average well drained soils on the alkaline side in the shade. The foliage looks succulent like, quite unique among primula.
	Primula alpicola 'Alba' Zone 5. China. Height 15cm. Space 30cm. Flowers powdery white, large drooping clusters on top of a 60cm. stalk. Lovely veined foliage which is somewhat heart shaped. Prefers cool shade. rich moisture retentive soils.
	Primula denticulata Dark Forms Zone 5. Himalayas. Drumstick Primrose. Early spring bloomers, ball like cluster on a 30cm. tall stalk. This selection has exceptional forms in burgundy, purple and violet shades. Large lettuce like foliage follows the flowers. Prefers moist, humus rich soils in semi-shade.
	Primula denticulata 'Rubin' A selection of the Drumstick Primrose with ruby rose flowers. Large flowers and a striking colour make this one a standout for early spring show! Same culture and conditions required as species.
	Primula elatior Zone 4. Europe. Height 30cm. Space 30cm. The traditional Oxlip Primrose found in cottage gardens. Tight clump former with bright lemon yellow flowers hold in a cluster on the top of a short stalk. Fragrant.
	Primula farinosa Zone 4. Europe. Bird's-Eye Primrose. Height 15cm. Space 15cm. Bright pink flowers hold in whorls on short stems. Early spring bloom. Flowers have a bright yellow center and dark eye, therefore the common name! Prefers damp soils on the alkaline side. Foliage has lovely silver white meal underneath and a frosting on top.
	Primula florindae Zone 5. Himalayas. Tibetan Primrose. A wonderful waterside Primrose or use to brighten a woodland garden. The sweetly fragrant flower heads resemble fireworks with a large hanging cluster of warm yellow flowers held at the end of a 60cm. long stalk. A very useful Primula since it is so late to bloom often right into summer. Huge lush ground hugging foliage that spreads to 50cm., needs space and moisture.
	Primula florindae 'Red Shades' Zone 5. Glittering shades of reds and oranges that make the flowers look like glowing embers hanging in the air. Otherwise same culture and overall look to straight florindae.
	Primula frondosa Zone 4. Bulgaria. Height 25cm. Space 30cm. Closely related to farinosa and resembles it somewhat but easier to grow and longer lived. Flowers are violet pink with a yellow eye held in whorls sometimes tiered. Prefers average soil on the acid side. Silver white meal on the bottom of the leaves and a frosting above. Considered the best farinose primrose.
	Primula halleri Zone 5. Alps. Height 20cm. Space 20cm. Easier and more robust growing than farinosa though usually shorter lived. Flowers are lilac pink with a yellow center and black eye. For best growth grow in a damp spot on the alkaline side.
	Primula helodoxa Zone 6. China. Candelabra Primrose. Dusty golden yellow flowers held in whorls around a 60cm. long stem produced for a long period in the summer. This primrose reaches 60cm. in width so needs ample space and soil moisture. In sun prefers bog like conditions but in shade can tolerate drier soils. The flowers are extremely fragrant too!
	Primula hirsuta Zone 5. Alps. Height 10cm. Space 15cm. An excellent rockery plant with rosettes of fleshy serrated foliage. Flowers are a rich cherry red with a white eye and extremely fragrant! Spring bloom. Prefers alkaline soils on the well drained side in semi-shade.
	Primula japonica Zone 5. Japan. Candelabra Primula. Height 60cm. Space 30cm. A mixed batch of Primula japonica, very popular for streamside or pondside planting. Pinks, reds and whites.
	Primula japonica 'Miller's Crimson' Zone 5. Japan. Candelabra Primula. Height 60cm. Space 30cm. Sun to shade. Deep magenta pink flowers in late spring. Requires rich, humusy soils and dampness in sun. Brilliant seen on mass. Large lettuce like leaves.
	Primula japonica 'Postford White' Zone 5. Japan. Candelabra Primula. Height 60cm. Space 30cm. Sun, in wet conditions, to shade. Has to be the best Primula japonica around. Enormous snow white flowers with canary yellow centers make this the most exquisite Primula. Late spring blooming.
	Primula luteola Zone 5. Caucasus. Height 20cm. Space 20cm. Showy sunny yellow flowers held in drooping clusters. Late spring bloom. Apple green foliage at the base of the foliage sets of the brilliant flowers. Prefers moist, rich soils in semi-shade to sun.
	Primula polyneura Zone 5. Tibet/China. Height 15cm. Space 20cm. A primula for those who love to touch their plants. The bottom of the leaves are covered in a fine wool so soft. Low groundhugging plant with flowers that resemble P. sieboldii in a brilliant magenta purple. Prefers damp rich soils.
	Primula X pruhoniciana 'Dorothy' Zone 4. Lovely, delicate flower colouring of pale sulphur yellow. Flowers are held in a cluster atop a stem reaching 20cm. in height. A petite plant excellent as a frontal planting along a woodland walk or shady border. The X pruhoniciana are an adaptable group of plants tolerating drought and cold better than many Primula.
	Primula pulverulenta Zone 6. China. Farinose Candelabra Primula. Height 75cm. Space 30cm. Sun (in damp) to shade. A delightful form of candelabra primula, similar to Primula japonica only the flower backs and stems are covered in a powdery coating which softens the deep rose red to pink flower colouring. Flowers are held in whorls on a stiff stem.
	Primula rosea 'Gigas' Zone 5. Himalayas. Height 25cm. Space 20cm. Sun (in damp) to shade. Flower is a shocking neon pink. This incredible Primula just pops out of the ground with flowers in early spring. Easy to grow as long as the soil is on the acid side and does not dry out. A superb plant!
	Primula sieboldii 'Geisha Girl' Zone 4. Japan, Korea, Manchuria, E. Siberia. This beauty of wet meadows is highly adaptable and hardy. Reaching 25cm. in height in bloom and slowly spreading to form a mat. Geisha Girl is a shocking pink with a white frosting in the center. Will go dormant in hot dry summers. Perfect for wild woodlands to mix with early bulbs and late to rise perennials such as Hosta and Rodgersia.
	Primula sieboldii 'Mikado' Zone 4. Height 25cm. Space 30cm. Deepest flower coloring we have seen on a sieboldii Primrose, dark magenta purple! The large hairy foliage will go dormant in summer heat.
	Primula sieboldii 'Snowflakes' Zone4. Height 25cm. Space 30cm. Purest white Primula sieboldii. The large hairy foliage will go dormant in summer heat.
	Primula smithiana Zone 5. Sino-himalayan. Attractive robust foliage with soft yellow meal on the bottom and a frosting on top. Flowers sent up on a 75cm. Stalk with bright sunny yellow flowers with a mealy throat held in 2 tiers. Late spring bloom. Prefers damp soils in sun to average soil in shade.
	Primula vulgaris 'Gold Laced' Zone 5. Through intensive breeding Dr. John Kerridge has come up with this line of 'large' flowered Gold Laced Polyanthus. Beautiful rich dark backgrounds of deep wine or maroon almost black with a yellow eye and golden yellow halo edge. Prefers shade to semi-shade in well drained yet moisture retentive soil.
	Primula vulgaris 'Blue Sapphire' Zone 4. A bright contrast to Narcissus and mini red Tulips. Double flowered vivid blue on the violet side of blue.
	Primula vulgaris 'Ken Dearman' Zone 4. Real tangerine orange with a heart of gold. Large double flowered.
	Primula vulgaris 'Marianne Davey' Zone 4. Extremely large flowered double, pale butter cream with a glowing yellow heart.
	Primula vulgaris 'Dawn Ansell' Zone 4. Ivory white with a touch of cream double, the flowers are rimmed with four green leaves making it an old fashioned 'Jack in the green'.
	Primula vulgaris 'Freckles' Zone 4. Deep velvety maroon, frosted with tiny white spots. Intensely double flowered primrose.
	Primula vulgaris 'Lilian Harvey' Zone 4. A clear rose pink double Primrose. Bright and cheery.
	Primula vulgaris 'Marie Crousse' Zone 4. Large flowered double lilac. Good vigorous habit and nice spring colouring accents any yellow spring flowers.
	Primula vulgaris 'Miss Indigo' Zone 4. Royal Purple double flowers with a white frosting edge to each petal. Almost blooms itself to death! Known to Primrose collectors as the best purple in the doubles.
	Primula vulgaris 'Petticoat' Zone 4. Double ruffled white flowered Primrose. Nice to brighten up a shady spot or combine with darker flowered Primroses.
	Primula vulgaris 'Red Giant' Zone 4. As the name states, the flowers are a double red. The plant is quite robust and large growing; the flowers match!
	Primula vulgaris 'Red Velvet' Zone 4. Strong scarlet red double primrose. Foliage is edged in maroon, adding another dimension to this spring bloomer.
	Primula vulgaris 'Roy Cope' Zone 4. Good solid red double primrose. Excellent with small yellow Narcissus.
	Primula vulgaris 'Sunshine Susie' Zone 4. Brilliant golden yellow with orange highlights. Looks like summer sunshine in the early spring. Extremely large double flowers held in nice clusters in the center of the plant.
	Primula vulgaris 'Val Horncastle' Zone 4. Double primrose with pastel sulphur yellow flowers. Striking with Pulmonaria longifolia!
	Primula vulgaris Cowichan Reds Zone 4. A vulgaris hybrid that has a long history on Vancouver Island. A selection of Primroses that were bred for the lack of eye or large bright yellow center. These are deep red, maroon and burgundy in colouring, with a fine yellow center. Often the foliage is tinged maroon. Large robust growers that reach 25cm. in height and 45cm. in spread.
	Primula veris Zone 5. Europe, Asia. Cowslip. Height 25cm. Space 20cm. Flowers, nodding lemon yellow held in clusters on stalks. The popular fragrant Cowslip found in every old cottage garden. Simple yet elegant.
	Primula veris 'Crimson N' Gold' Zone 5. Height 25cm. Space 30cm. Like the species only the flowers are a mix of oranges to deep red. Bring in some warmer colours for early spring.
	Primula veris ssp. columnae Zone 5. Height 25cm. Space 30cm. Different from the species in having open almost flat flowers. Bright yellow spring bloom that look larger than the species due to its open shape.

Exploring Gardens | Knowledge Explorer Centre

Information and photos provided by Rainforest Gardens, Ann Pentland, and Dale Wilkie
Last Modified March 12, 1999