About
Primula pulverulenta (Pf), the mealy primrose, is a herbaceous candelabra primula to 90 cm with rosettes of large, oblong leaves and upright, white-mealy stems bearing reddish-purple flowers 2.5 cm across in several whorls. A classic and beautiful candelabra primula for a moist, cool, woodland border or stream side.
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
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moisturePoorly-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeBogs, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesHerbaceous borders, cottage gardens, cutting.
Native toChina
Care notes
CultivationGrow in deep, fertile reliably moist soil in partial shade
PruningCut back after flowering
PropagationPropagate by division in early spring or propagate by seed sown from autumn to spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, vine weevil, slugs, leaf and bud eelworms and glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free