About
A compact, vigorous rosette-forming, evergreen perennial with neat, pale green, toothed foliage, and perfumed, dark pink-purple flowers with a small white eye, which appear in 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
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Alpine Rockery, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationGrow in partial shade in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil. May also be grown in an alpine house or greenhouse/conservatory using a specialist alpine plant compost based on loam with added lime. Avoid wetting the foliage
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed when ripe, division or by separating and rooting offsets in autumn or early spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, slugs, leafhoppers and vine weevils
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a virus, primula brown core and grey moulds