About
An evergreen perennial, to 20cm tall, with spreading rosettes of light green leaves. In spring, short stems, held above the foliage, are topped with clusters of double, old gold flowers.
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 typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Rock garden
ToxicitySkin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
CultivationDouble auriculas are best grown in pots in an alpine house or cold frame, in a mix of equal parts peat-free, loam-based potting compost, leaf mould, peat-substitute and grit. Alternatively, grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in full sun or partial shade
PruningNo pruning required but deadhead after flowering, and remove dead or damaged leaves as necessary
PropagationPropagate by division or by detaching offsets in autumn or early spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, slugs, leafhoppers and vine weevils
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a virus, primula brown core and grey moulds