About
Primula palinuri (Au), the Palinuro auricula, is a rosette-forming, evergreen perennial with fleshy, mid-green, sometimes lightly hairy, lightly toothed leaves. Clusters of lightly scented, funnel-shaped flowers with silvery calyxes and yellow petals with a ring of creamy-white at the throat are produced on stout stems in late winter and early spring. A beautiful and early-flowering primula for a cool, well-drained rock garden or alpine house.
About the genus
Primula are herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennials forming rosettes of simple leaves and producing salver-shaped, bell-shaped or funnel-shaped flowers, solitary or in umbels or whorls on erect stems. An enormously varied genus ranging from compact alpines to stately border perennials.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand, Chalk
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Rock garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants
Native toItaly
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationGrow outdoors in well drained soil in full sun, or in an alpine house or cold frame in a mix of equal parts peat-free, loam-based potting compost, leaf mould and grit. Avoid wetting the foliage when watering
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown as soon as ripe, or in late winter or early spring, or by division between autumn and early spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, red spider mites, leafhoppers, vine weevil and slugs
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to grey moulds, primula brown core and virus diseases