About

A rosette-forming, deciduous perennial to around 60cm, with dark green foliage and upright stems producing whorls of pale, shell-pink flowers with a red centre in late spring to early summer. Suited to damp areas of the garden such as open woodlands or next to a pond or stream.

About the genus

Primula are herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennials, forming a basal rosette of simple leaves, with salver-shaped or bell-shaped flowers which may be solitary or carried in an umbel or in whorls on an erect stem

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Bogs
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden

Care notes

CultivationGrow in humus-rich, moisture-retentive in part shade. Will tolerate wet soil. Do not let roots dry out
PruningCut back after flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed or division. Divide every two years in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, vine weevil, slugs, leaf and bud eelworms, leaf-mining flies and glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to primula leaf spot, primula brown core and grey moulds