About
A vigorous, compact, rosette-forming, evergreen perennial up to 8cm high with obovate, toothed, mid-green leaves, up to 4cm long, and abundant clear white flowers, to 3cm across, either singly or in umbels, from late winter to early 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 typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in an alpine house or bulb frame, in a well-drained mix of equal parts peat-free, loam-based compost, leafmould and grit; avoid wetting the leaves
PruningNo pruning required, but removing dead leaves will reduce the risk of grey moulds
PropagationPropagate by division of offsets between autumn and early spring, by basal softwood cuttings in autumn or early spring, or by root cuttings when dormant in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, bryobia mites, caterpillars, glasshouse leafhoppers, glasshouse red spider mite, slugs, and vine weevils
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to primula brown core, grey moulds, primula leaf spots, and virus diseases