About

A deciduous perennial with pale green, wrinkled, egg-shaped leaves. Thepale pink flowers have a darker reddish-pink centre. In late spring and early summer, 2-6 tiered whorls of flowers are borne on stems about 45cm tall.

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, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, North-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeBogs, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden

Care notes

CultivationGrow in deep moist or moist but well-drained neutral to acid, humus-rich soil in full sun or partial shade
PruningCut back after flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed. Sow on the surface of the compost as soon as ripe in late winter or early spring. Can be propagated by division between autumn and early spring. Take root cuttings when dormant in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, vine weevil, slugs, leaf and bud eelworms
Disease resistanceMay suffer from a virus, primula brown core and grey moulds