Do not allow the sowing to dry out, even for an hour, ensure that the surface of the compost remains moist without over-wetting at all times. Scatter the seed across the surface of moistened seedling compost and place the seed trays or pots into a dark cupboard to ensure absolute shade. Germination normally occurs within 14 to 21 days at 60F in complete shade. Once the flowering season ends they can be transplanted to a damp, shady spot in garden. Potted primulas and auriculas make attractive, although short-lived, flowering houseplants too, but they do prefer a cooler spot. Primroses have been popular garden plants for centuries, Elizabethan gardeners loved them. As the name suggests, they are among the first flowers of spring and provide a welcome splash of colour when little else is blooming in the garden. Primulas, Auriculas, and Primroses are plants for woodland edges and shady banks. How to Grow Primulas, Primroses and Auriculas Simply put, it's the Rolls Royce of Auriculas and strictly speaking should be pot grown for display in a cold greenhouse or conservatory - it's that special. To describe the colour range and do it justice is impossible. This aristocratic mixture contains both 'show' and 'fancy' varieties which have been hand pollinated and tresaured over many years by an independent grower. This was an inspiring presentation, delivered with humour and enthusiasm, and warmly received.Primula auricula Latin name Primrose, Auricula, Cowslip Common name Gold centred – “Bilbo Baggins” “Prince John”. Light centred Alpines – “Argus” “ Stella South” “Victoria de Wemyss”. Show Auriculas – “Prague” “Margaret Mark” “Everest Blue” Green- edged Show Auriculas –“ Lancashire Hero” and “Robert” are prizewinners. alba-“a super plant, very fragrant”.īorder Auriculas –“ colourful and tough” – Blue Velvet, Broadwell Gold. allioni.įorms for the frost-free greenhouse. įor the cold greenhouse – P.forrestii, named after George Forest, plant collector. sieboldiiI are lovely, and easy to grow.Ĭandelabras – P. bhutanica, for the peat garden, from the Himalayas, P. This is one of the original “florist’s” flowers at the end of the nineteenth century a “florist” was one who grew flowers to a special standard, to show. Gold laced polyanthus – a variety of colours, with gold laced edges. Elizabethan primroses Double “Jack in the Green” and “Hose in Hose”. Double primroses can be highly perfumed, eg. The true oxlip looks like polyanthus and is “a fantastic garden plant”. Overall these are colourful, varied and rewarding plants, as Alan showed us in slide after slide. Propagate species by seed when fresh, or in Spring and be alert for slug damage in damp situations and root aphids when in dry conditions. Deadhead when flowers fade, and trim foliage. Some may be difficult to grow as they dislike winter damp or summer heat. Neither overwater nor allow to dry out and for moisture retention plant in well drained soil. Primulas have varying cultivation requirements, so careful reference is needed, but general advice is to plant from seed,(and the best are from Barnhaven in France), in John Innes 2 with 25% horticultural grit. Primrose – Polyanthus primulas are a diverse group of evergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduous hybrids, divided into two groups, primrose and polyanthus. Candelabra primulas are sturdy herbaceous perennials with flowers borne in tiered whorls up tall strong stems. The border auricula group has generally robust garden auricula primulas which are often very fragrant. Show auriculas are varied in colour, and have white farina on their foliage. Alpine auriculas have centres strikingly different in colour from that of the petals. Auricula primulas are evergreen, and there are three main sub-groups: alpine, border and show. There are primulas suitable for almost every type of site: the border, scree garden, rock garden, peat garden, bog garden, pool margin, greenhouse and alpine house. So numerous are the forms of this colourful genus that they are split into thirty sections, Alan told us, and the right treatment is needed for each. “Primulas and Auriculas” was the subject of a talk given to Littleton and Harestock Gardening Club by Alan Edmondson Msc, an experienced horticulturalist, former National Mastermind of Gardening and past President of the National Auricula and Primula Society.
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