About
A short-lived perennial to 25cm, usually grown as an annual, forming a rosette of oblong leaves, with erect stems bearing an umbel of large blue flowers with conspicuous 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, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial, Bedding, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade, do not allow to dry out in hot weather. See Primroses and polyanthus cultivation
PruningCut back after flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, leafhoppers, vine weevil and slugs
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to grey moulds, primula brown core and a virus