A useful alpine for the rock garden, trough and sink gardens, in cool positions.  Early spring flowering with fragrance.  Height 20cm. It is a lime hating species which comes from the north and north-west Italian Alps and the Pyrenees.  Plants suppied are of flowering size and bare-root without compost or pot.

This variety is extremely strong growing and intense rose reddish pink flowers, taller than the type at 30cm (12”) and appearing in early spring (late March). Plants supplied as bare-root (compost removed), of flowering size.

Primula rosea is a very long-lived, accommodating and hardy garden plant. Coming from north-west Himalaya it is used to extreme weather conditions. A popular Primula for beside streams and ponds it delights in a wet, even boggy soil. The flowers appear before the leaves in early spring; often it is the first Primula to be in flower alongside Primula denticulata.

Laced polyanthuses have been grown since the early part of the 19th Century. The laced polyanthus was already beginning to command the attention of traditional florists (those who grew plants for their flowers) who sought to perfect its form and, by the middle of the 19th century, it rivalled the auricula as a true florists' flower.
Laced polyanthuses have a proven track record of garden worthiness, consistently flowering during the spring time and with few ailments. They are equally good in pots, planters, and other containers and the open garden. In the garden they should be grown in narrow borders or in front of larger plants in island beds or larger borders. They are easy plants to grow and do very brilliantly in any well drained fertile soil that should not be allowed to dry out.

The gold flower centre is circular and is of the same colour as the petal margin (lacing). The main flower body colour is dark maroon or very dark red.

They flower at a height of up to 30 cm (1 foot) and several stems are produced which carry heads of numerous flowers. Gold-laced polyanthuses brighten up the garden with quite exotic looking flowers, but are completely hardy and suffer no harmful effects of freezing conditions, when established. They are attractive to early flying honey bees.

Plants supplied are one year old of mature flowering size and will flower next growing season. Supplied bare-root.

Primula rosea is a very long-lived, accommodating and hardy garden plant. Coming from north-west Himalaya it is used to extreme weather conditions. A popular Primula for beside streams and ponds it delights in a wet, even boggy soil. The flowers appear before the leaves in early spring; often it is the first Primula to be in flower alongside Primula denticulata. The flower stem grows to 20cm (9inches).

Primula denticulata, the drumstick primrose, is an extremely hardy and easy early spring flowering garden plant. Stems rise to a height of 30 cm (1 foot) and produce neat spherical heads of pure ice blue flowers. The species is widespread throughout the Sinohimalayan region and grows abundantly in wet places. Much variation occurs in the wild in terms of size and colour. This blue form on offer is a garden selection. It will grow in a wide variety of garden sites from wet soils to average soil conditions. In a reality it grows well just about anywhere that does not get bone dry during the summer. Sun or partial shade is ideal. Plants supplied are bare-root, mature flowering size which will flower next growing season.

Primula denticulata is an extremely hardy and easy early spring flowering garden plant. Stems rise to a height of 30 cm (1 foot) and produce neat spherical heads of pure lilac, mauve or purple flowers. Plants supplied are bare-root, mature flowering size which will flower next growing season.

This early flowering clump forming species from places like Afghanistan, west Nepal and Sikkim is a delight. It flowers at a height of 30 cm (1 foot) and is excellent in cold wet places in the garden. It grows naturally in snow melt waters at high altitude and other very cold wet places. The flowers are rosy purple blue with a very dark almost black eye. There is also a faint scent although sniffing at close quarters is called for to appreciate this! In the garden Primula macrophylla should be planted at the front of damp borders or other damp places in the spring or woodland garden. Plants are supplied bare-root and are of mature flowering size; they will flower next growing season.

Primula palinuri is very rare in its native south-west Italy where it grows on sea cliff ledges and sandy tufa. This primula species is so rare in the wild that it is listed in the IUCN endangered species list (the Red Data list). It is however hardy in Ireland and the UK outside in well drained sites. Growing P palinuri in a cold greenhouse is a great way to enjoy the attractive bright yellow funnel shaped flowers which appear as early as February. The flowering stem grows to a height of 25 cm (9 inches) and the calyxes are densely laden with white farina. The compost should be similar to an auricula mix, well drained, not too rich in nutrient, a multi-purpose with 30% added grit and a little slow release fertiliser is ideal. We will supply plants bare-root and they will be of mature flowering size so will flower next season.

Incised magenta-pink flowers from red-flushed calyces on long red-flushed pedicels flowering in late winter and spring. A welcome early primula. 12cm. A cross with P.megaesifolia. Plants are mature flowering size posted bare-root (without compost).

A primrose by a river's brim,
a yellow primrose was to him,
and it was nothing more. (William Wordsworth, 1888)
The wild primrose is the earliest Primula to flower in the garden. It is best grown in a situation where there is no competition from vigorous perennial weeds. In a natural setting they grow well at the base of hedgerows because the main growing season for the primrose period coincides with the dormant season of hedgerow shrubs and trees such as hawthorn. When the canopy of woody vegetation returns in late spring the wild primrose goes into a dormant phase surviving through the summer as a perennial rhizome. Primroses can be very useful garden plants as they will often grow where other plants struggle – odd vacant spaces, underneath the canopy of ornamental deciduous shrubs and even in borders where other cultivated plants cannot overgrow their space. When happy a group of 10 primroses will establish and self seed to extend the grouping, in time making a wonderful display each winter / spring. Dappled cool conditions are best and even heavy soils are acceptable providing they are not waterlogged. Primula vulgaris subsp sibthorpii occurs naturally in eastern Europe. Plants are supplied bare-root and are mature flowering size.

A rather rare and interesting Asiatic alpine primula which first flowered at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) in 1924.  The natural habitat is north facing on grassy slopes overlying limestone, so requires a shaded position in an alpine house and will grow well in a basic multipurpose compost with added grit for drainage.  This species comes from the converging zones of Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai provinces of China. Plants are mature flowering size and the compost is reduced or removed to ensure postage cost is minimal.