This delicate deciduous candelabra primula is just as hardy as other plants in this group. It originates from south-west Sichuan in western China and grows at high altitude ensuring its hardy pedigree. The flowers are carried on slender stems to 30 cm (1 foot) and are of a pleasing yellow colour. This colour should be carefully placed in the designed garden but it does look great at the front of borders and various containers. It will grow well in a soil well supplied with organic matter which ensures steady moisture but not excessive wet conditions. It will not do well in saturated soils such as bog gardens. Primula cockburniana Yellow Form assorts well with other classic garden plants like Rhododendron. Plants supplied are sent bare-root and are of flowering size.

A primrose of a most exotic appearance - The orchid primrose is a most worthy garden plant which has been grown for over 100 years. A later flowering Primula adorning the June garden but often extending its flowering period into July. Strong spikes of scarlet red and blue violet flowers stand up to 60 cm (18”). When established it will produce multi-stemmed clumps carrying masses of flowers. Best grown in groups of 5 or more plants in fertile moist soils which allow excess water to drain away. Primula vialii is a robust plant and likes moist but not saturated conditions. The best conditions are in good light especially during the morning so an east facing aspect is ideal. Best to avoid hot south facing aspects where the plants will be baked dry during the summer. When grown in groups it will produce lots of seeds and these will self sow in cool damp conditions.

This strongly perennial species is very widespread throughout the Sinohimalayan region. This means that much variation in colour can occur. However, the form we offer here has beautiful highly scented pinkish mauve flowers borne on stems 30cm (1 foot) tall during May into June. It grows in alpine zones and prefers moist meadows and along streams and brooks. In the authors experience it grows well in soils that retain moisture and can cope with fairly damp sites within the garden. It is ideal beside small ponds perhaps associated with a rock garden. It should be grown in its own space never allowing other more robust plants to overcrowd. As with all plants from the Sinohimalayan region Primula munroi subsp. yargongensis is extremely hardy standing many degrees of frost. Plants are supplied bare-root and are of a mature flowering size; they will flower next season.

This item consists of one plant of each of the three British native primulas illustrated, i.e. vulgaris (top), veris (left) and elatior. (3 plants in total)

A primrose by a river's brim ..... The wild or native primrose (Primula vulgaris) grows naturally and in abundance in woods, hedgerows and banks throughout the UK. This gives a clue as to where you should grow it in cultivation. Plants are supplied bare-root and are mature flowering size.

Primula veris is the common cowslip. An easy going perennial naturally found in damp open pastures but will grow in a wide range of garden habitats.

Primula elatior, the oxlip has beautiful nodding bright yellow flowers on stems 30 cm (1 foot) tall are produced from March to April depending on season and locality.

Plants are supplied bare-root and are of mature flowering size; they will flower next season.

Primula vialii (orchid primrose) 9 X plants of this exotic primula

A superb primula. Scarlet red and blue violet flowers on strong 60cm (18”) stems.  The orchid primrose is a most worthy garden plant which has been grown for over 100 years.  A later flowering Primula adorning the June garden but often extending its flowering period into July.  Strong spikes of scarlet red and blue violet flowers stand up to 60 cm (18”).  When established it will produce multi-stemmed clumps carrying masses of flowers.  Best grown in groups of 5 or more plants in fertile moist soils which allow excess water to drain away.  Primula vialii is a robust plant and likes moist but not saturated conditions.  The best conditions are in good light especially during the morning so an east facing aspect is ideal.  Best to avoid hot south facing aspects where the plants will be baked dry during the summer.  When grown in groups it will produce lots of seeds and these will self sow in cool damp conditions.

Excellent in pots, containers of all sorts and even in the rock garden as a centrepiece in a damp spot.

Plants supplied as mature flowering sized and with reduced compost rootballed ready for planting and will flower the very next season.

This species is robustly hardy standing many degrees of frost. It grows very well in a moist fertile soil which is never allowed to dry out. It is best suited to a moisture retentive soil but one which allows the excess water to drain away; it therefore likes a good supply of oxygen in the soil. It is an easy plant to grow being long-lived and adaptable especially if planted in a partial sunny spot. The flowering season is May and its flowering height is 50 cm (20 inches). It often self seeds with enthusiasm giving you some very pleasant surprises for free! Coming from north-west Yunnan and south-west Sichuan it is the next door neighbour of Primula poissonii!

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 X kewensis is an interesting hybrid between P verticillata and P floribunda which is self fertile and breeds true from seed.  It is a lovely pot plant for conservatory or cold glasshouse. It flowers in late winter over a long time. It also has decorative farina-covered foliage giving it a whitish appearance.  All plants supplied are of flowering size and posted bare-root, without compost or pot.

This easy going primula has a long flowering season; from May to September. The deep purple flowers are arranged in disc-like horizontal heads and carried on white heavily mealy stems about 30 cm (1 foot) tall. Primula capitata grows well in many situations but a soil which has steady moisture content is best. Well drained soils that never dry out are ideal. Dappled light conditions such as the fringe of woodland or anywhere that does not receive very hot sun is best; east facing aspect is good. This primula is an excellent subject for container gardening; pots, planters, tubs, troughs and sink gardens being employed to good effect. P. capitata comes from east Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan where it thrives in a wide range of alpine habitats at quite high altitudes. Plants are supplied bare-root mature flowering sized, one year old ready for planting or potting.

8 X Plant - Summer Scented Primula Collection.

This is a collection of exotic scented primulas, from various parts of Asia. They belong to the Sikkimensis group and hail from the Himalayas, Tibet and Sikkim. They are extremely hardy and make wonderful garden plants, well suited to our conditions.

The flowering timescale across this range of primulas offered is from May to late July.

The flowering height ranges from 60 to 100cm (2’to 3’) depending on type.

They make an awesome impact in the garden when planted in mass groupings, and the photographs show what you can expect.

The plants selected for the collection will include Primula sikkimensis, florindae (and varieties), and alpicola (and varieties); 8 Plants in total supplied in their 7cm pots ready for planting out in your garden.

No special soil preparation is required. Just choose a spot in your garden where the soil never dries out and the plants can enjoy some dappled shade. Pop them in and ensure they get enough water during establishment. If you can add some garden compost during planting this will help if your soil is prone to drying out.

The plants supplied are of flowering size and within the next few weeks (it is now 1st May 2020) and you can enjoy their beauty and fragrance.