About

This neat and compact, rosette-forming, evergreen perennial with dark green textured foliage. Large, dark burgundy-red to purple flowers with a hidden yellow eye appear in the spring.

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 typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants

Care notes

CultivationGrow in full sun or partial shade in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil, do not allow to dry out in hot weather. See Primroses and polyanthus cultivation
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division in autumn or early spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, vine weevil, slugs, leaf and bud eelworms, leaf-mining flies and glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to primula leaf spot, primula brown core and grey moulds