About
A clump-forming evergreen perennial with dark green, crinkly leaves with an aniseed fragrance. Prefers moist or boggy areas so ideal for the edge of a stream or pond. Tall, strong stems produce whorls of dark maroon-red, dropping, bell-shaped flowers in late spring to summer.
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
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moisturePoorly-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeBogs, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toChina
FragranceFlower, Foliage
Care notes
CultivationGrow in partial shade, in deep, humus-rich, moist, neutral to acid loam soil, or naturally peaty soil. Tolerates full sun if soil remains moist at all times
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division in autumn or after flowering
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