About

A semi-evergreen perennial forming a rosette of wrinkled leaves, with a succession of fully double, deep purple flowers opening in spring, each petal finely edged with white.

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
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
FragranceFlower

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
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