About
A rosette-forming, deciduous perennial with mid-green leaves up to 25cm long covered in white or yellow meal. From late spring to early summer stout, mealy stems produce one or more whorls of pendant, tubular to funnel shaped, scented, milk-white flowers up to 2.5cm across.
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
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeBogs, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toYunnan, China
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationGrow in partial shade in deep, humus-rich, moist, neutral to acid soil. Will tolerate sun if soil remains moist at all times. Benefits from regular division
PruningCut back after flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed in containers in a frame as soon as ripe or in late winter or in early spring; or divide in early spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, slugs and vine weevil
Disease resistanceBrown core of primulas, grey moulds, primula leaf spot and a virus may be a problem