POLYANTHUS
Family PRIMULACEA
Primula species
Perennial
A genus containing many choice subjects for rock
garden, flower border and woodland, native to
Europe and Asia.
Of the many hundreds of species, there are certain
ones that are common to gardens.
Primula acaulis (syn. Primula vulgaris) is the
well-known European Primrose, with flowers of
yellow, purple or blue, each with a yellow centre.
The Polyanthus Primrose,
Primula variabilis (syn. Primula polyantha) is
a garden origin resulting from crossed between
Primula acaulis and other species, and bears its
flowers in clusters on erect stems.
Primula juliae is like a smaller Primula acaulis,
purple in colour.
Primula japonica and Primula pulverulenta bear
their flowers, of a great variation in colour,
in majestic candelabra fashion.
Primula auricula is an old florist’s flower,
and the named varieties, both show and alpine,
are best grown in pots in a frame or cold greenhouse
where the lovely purple, red, yellow, grey and
green edged forms are a delight.
There are some excellent strains which may be
grown from seed in partially shaded positions
where there is ample humus.
Propagate by division or from seed.
The flowering season is in spring.
Primula
Hardy Perennial.
Six to eighteen inches.
Flowers of several colours, March to May.
The family of garden Primulas, as distinct from
the Primroses and Polyanthus already described,
contains a good many kinds that are “Alpine”
in character, and require special soil and treatment
or rockwork for their successful growth.
The following
may be tried in open ground that is cool and moist
without being cold and heavy.
Moisture with ample
drainage is half the secret of success, but the
beginner will do well to be fore-armed against
a disappointing display and a final disappearance.
Broken stone buried in the soil may help to improve
the staple, which should also contain leaf-mould
and grit.
Primula Cashmeriana: pale violet flowers in clustered
heads; leaves covered on the under side with yellow
powder.
Primula denticulate: resembles the last.
Primula Japonica: a foot to eighteen inches high,
with whorls or tiers of crimson flowers at intervals
on a stout stem. A vigorous grower in congenial
soil.
Primula marginata: lilac, early.
Primula Sieboldii (Cortusoides): The “fern-leaved”
Primrose, generally grown in pots in a cool house,
but hardy in the open. There are varieties with
rose, white and purple flowers.
See Also Polyanthus
and Primrose
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