About
An evergreen perennial to 15cm tall, with light green, bluntly toothed leaves and several salver-shaped, bright flowers in an umbel in spring.
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 typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
ToxicitySkin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
CultivationGrow in full sun or part shade in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil. Under glass or in a frame use a mix of equal parts peat-free, loam-based potting compost, leaf mould and grit. Avoid wetting the foliage of mealy species and hybrids
PruningNo pruning required but deadhead after flowering, and remove dead or damaged leaves as necessary
PropagationPropagate by seed in containers in an open frame as soon as ripe or in late winter or early spring. Propagate by division between autumn and early spring or take root cuttings when dormant in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, leafhopper, vine weevil and slugs
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a virus, primula brown core and grey moulds (botrytis)