About
Primula secundiflora (Pf), the secund-flowered primrose, is a rosette-forming candelabra primula with narrowly oblong, arching leaves and erect, white-mealy stems to 80 cm bearing a cluster of nodding, bell-shaped, reddish-purple flowers in summer. A beautiful and unusual 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 typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
AspectNorth-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeBogs, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toW China
Care notes
CultivationGrow in partial shade in deep, humus-rich, moist neutral to acid soil. Will tolerate sun if soil remains moist at all times
PruningNo pruning necessary, tidy old or diseased leaves
PropagationPropagate by seed in containers in a frame as soon as ripe or in late winter or in early spring; propagate by division in early spring; root offsets in autumn or take root cuttings in winter when dormant
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, slugs and vine weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to brown core, grey moulds, leaf spot (fungal) and a virus