About
An evergreen, perennial, border auricula up to 20cm tall with rosettes of pale grey-green leaves. Clusters of perfumed, reddish-orange flowers with white centres and yellow-green eyes are produced on short stems 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, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
FragranceFlower
ToxicitySkin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in full sun or partial shade. Can also be grown in pots in an alpine house
PruningNo pruning required but deadhead after flowering, and remove dead or damaged leaves as necessary
PropagationPropagate by division or by detaching and rooting 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