About
A perennial to 15cm, with oval, grey-green, mealy leaves and stout stems carrying up to eight scented, white-eyed, deep reddish-violet flowers 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 typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, City and courtyard gardens
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich, slightly alkaline soil in full sun with some midday shade or partial shade. Although hardy it is recommended for cultivation in an alpine house in the south of England
PruningDeadhead after flowering
PropagationPropagate by detaching offsets in autumn or early spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, slugs, leafhoppers and vineweevils
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a virus, primula brown core and grey moulds