About
An evergreen, perennial, fancy, show auricula up to 20cm tall with rosettes of pale grey-green leaves. The aromatic flowers, produced in clusters on short stems in spring, have pale grey-green petals with dark red feathering, white centres and yellow eyes.
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
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Alpine 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, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
FragranceFlower
ToxicitySkin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
CultivationGrow show auriculas 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. Avoid wetting mealy flowers or leaves
PruningNo pruning required but deadhead after flowering, and remove dead or damaged leaves as necessary
PropagationPropagate by division or by separating and rooting offsets, after flowering
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