What a name! Don’t be put off by this; you may just as well call it ‘Wondrous’ because that is how it looks. The early leaves in March/April unfold and have a most delightful farina dusted surface. This is a fine dust-like material thought to protect the plant from UV light. This is a very hardy perennial garden Primula and reliably flowers each year. It is a clump forming species which can be divided to provide more plants for your garden; for free! The flowers open as the short (30cm or 1 foot) flowers stem develops. Each plant produces several flower stems. It is an early Primula making it a great addition to the early spring garden. Tolerant of soils which never dry out, even beside the pond margin, this is a most accommodating garden plant. This western Chinese Primula species always gives delight.

This outstanding garden primula species comes from north-west Yunnan where it grows in open pine forest and rocky damp pastures. In the garden a dappled woodland site is ideal and in soils that remain moist but are not excessively wet. It assorts well with other classic garden plants such as Rhododendron and enjoys the same conditions; rich peaty acid soils. It is a wonderful garden plant which has been cultivated for about 100 years since it was introduced in 1914 by the famous Scottish plant collector George Forrest. This strong growing perennial unusual primula has attractive spikes of pendant scented lavender blue mealy-faced flowers in May / June; timing is dependent on season and locality. The flowering stem holds the flower head about 30 cm (1 foot) above the foliage. Plants are supplied as bare-root mature flowering sized plants; they will flower next growing season.

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 an unusual intense orange 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 assorts well with other classic garden plants like Rhododendron. Plants supplied are sent bare-root and are of flowering size.

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.