Primula 'Red Hugh' — Rosette-forming, clump-forming

Overview

Primula 'Red Hugh' is a rosette-forming, clump-forming perennial in the genus Primula, part of the Primulaceae family, with deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen; rosettes of crinkled or mealy leaves foliage. Primula 'Red Hugh' grows best in partial shade; alpines and auriculas take more sun, and tolerates fertile humus-rich loam; alpine kinds need gritty free-draining soil soils and neutral to slightly acid; asiatic species dislike lime pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4-H7 depending on group.

About

Primula 'Red Hugh' is a rosette-forming, clump-forming perennial in the Primulaceae that bears crinkled or mealy basal leaves and flowers from February to June. It occupies a range of primula groups, so foliage may be deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen. Position it in partial shade and a sheltered aspect; alpine and auricula forms within the group will tolerate rather more sun. Soil requirements vary by group but lean towards fertile, humus-rich loam for woodland and candelabra kinds and sharply drained gritty soil for alpines.

About the genus

Primula is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. They include the primrose, a familiar wildflower of banks and verges. Other common species are P.

Wikipedia contributors, "Primula", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Primula

In the garden

Primula 'Red Hugh' is a cultivated primula from the Primulaceae, presented as rosettes of textured leaves topped by spring flower stems. Flowering runs from February to June. The cultivar sits within the broad primula grouping, so its precise habit and leaf persistence can vary — some plants hold foliage through winter while others die back. Place Primula 'Red Hugh' where it receives partial shade in a sheltered spot, on a north, east or west-facing aspect. Use fertile humus-rich loam for the woodland and candelabra types; if you have an alpine form, plant it in a gritty, free-draining mix. Aim for neutral to slightly acid soil conditions; Asiatic primulas in the wider genus prefer to avoid lime. Soil moisture needs differ: candelabra and woodland kinds like reliably moist ground, while alpines require sharply drained conditions. Hardiness spans H4 to H7, so plants range from average hardy to fully hardy depending on the subgroup you have. In the garden, the cultivar suits shaded mixed borders, damp marginal beds and, when grown on the alpine side, rock garden crevices with sun and sharp drainage. Expect flower umbels to rise above the basal rosettes between February and June, after which foliage behaviour — evergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduous — will reveal the plant's group identity.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Primula

Sunlight: Partial shade; alpines and auriculas take more sun
Soil type: Fertile humus-rich loam; alpine kinds need gritty free-draining soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acid; Asiatic species dislike lime
Soil moisture: Reliably moist for candelabra and woodland kinds; sharply drained for alpines
Aspect: North, east or west facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H4-H7 depending on group

Plant details

Primula 'Red Hugh' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Rosette-forming, clump-forming
Foliage: Deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen; rosettes of crinkled or mealy leaves

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Primula 'Red Hugh'

Cultivation: Match the group to the site and these are easy plants; ignore the distinction and they are short-lived. Candelabra and sikkimensis types want ground that never dries, so a streamside or bog garden suits them perfectly, while auriculas and the alpine species need gritty compost, protection from winter rain, and are traditionally grown in pots in an open frame. Woodland primulas ask for nothing more than leaf mould and dappled shade.
Pruning: No pruning required. Deadhead to prevent self-seeding where it is not wanted, and remove dead outer leaves from the rosettes to reduce rot.
Propagation: Divide after flowering, ideally every second or third year, as congested rosettes decline. Seed germinates best sown fresh and given a cold period, and many species self-sow freely.
Pest resistance: Vine weevil is the principal enemy, especially in pots, along with slugs, aphids and red spider mite under glass.
Disease resistance: Prone to grey mould and crown rot in stagnant damp. Primula brown core, a root rot, causes gradual decline in long-established plantings.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Primula 'Red Hugh'?

Match the group to the site and these are easy plants; ignore the distinction and they are short-lived. Candelabra and sikkimensis types want ground that never dries, so a streamside or bog garden suits them perfectly, while auriculas and the alpine species need gritty compost, protection from winter rain, and are traditionally grown in pots in an open frame. Woodland primulas ask for nothing more than leaf mould and dappled shade.

Where is the best place to plant Primula 'Red Hugh'?

Primula 'Red Hugh' prefers partial shade; alpines and auriculas take more sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Primula 'Red Hugh' need?

Primula 'Red Hugh' grows best in fertile humus-rich loam; alpine kinds need gritty free-draining soil soil. It prefers neutral to slightly acid; asiatic species dislike lime soil. Aim for soil that stays reliably moist for candelabra and woodland kinds; sharply drained for alpines.

How do I prune Primula 'Red Hugh'?

No pruning required. Deadhead to prevent self-seeding where it is not wanted, and remove dead outer leaves from the rosettes to reduce rot.

Is Primula 'Red Hugh' hardy in the UK?

Primula 'Red Hugh' has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.

How do I propagate Primula 'Red Hugh'?

Divide after flowering, ideally every second or third year, as congested rosettes decline. Seed germinates best sown fresh and given a cold period, and many species self-sow freely.

More in the Primula genus

Browse all Primula →