Primroses(Primula) are small perennials that bloom from March to May. Available in a large selection ofprimrose varietiesin intense and varied colors make Primulae popular both in gardens and apartments. Learn about the most interestingprimrose species and varieties , requirements forprimrose cultivationand ways toprimrose breedingon your own .
Primrose (Primula)
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What does primrose look like?
Primrose , also known asprimula , is a small perennial, usually up to 25 cm high. Small 6-7-petal flowers, enchanting with their intense colors, emerge from a dense rosette of fleshy, mossy leaves. Under favorable conditions, the first primroses bloom already in March (medicinal primrose, p. Lofty, stalkless, serrated, Georgian, p. Gypsophila). Most primrose species are already blooming in April and May.
Primroses - species and varieties
The primrose genus (Primula) includes over 500 species occurring in the natural state in the mountains of Europe and Asia.There are over a dozen species of primulacultivated in Poland, and some of them also come in interesting varieties. Below we present the most popular of them.
Stemless primrose(Primula vulgaris), also known as the common primrose, is a plant native to southern and western Europe.It creates flowers in various colors (red, purple, blue, white). Grown in the garden, it blooms in April, although the plants are also grown in greenhouses for other flowering times. After flowering, its leaves grow twice as long as during flowering.
Stemless primrose (Primula vulgaris)
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From late fall to early springthe stemless primrose is on sale in flower shops , making it the most famous primrose species. If we bought the plant in early spring, we can plant it in a garden bed, which it will decorate in the following years. If, however, we bought the plant a little earlier, in winter, after flowering, it should be overwintering in a bright but cold room (at a temperature of 0 to 4 ° C).
Primulae planted in the garden in springthey can spend the following winters in the ground, provided that they are carefully covered for the winter (the species is included in the plant frost resistance zone 6). This primrose species grows best in partial shade , although it also tolerates sunny locations.
Mossy primrose (Primula pubescens)
Fig. Ralf Wimmer, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Mossy primula(Primula pubescens) - dark cherry, purple or brownish flowers, often bicolour with a pale center. Like the stemless primrose, it is popular in pot cultivation, but it is also suitable for garden beds. It blooms in April. Prefers partial shade and calcareous soils. He winters well in the gardens. It is assigned to the plant frost resistance zone 5.
High primrose (Primula elatior)
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(Primula elatior) is a perennial plant associated with traditional country gardens, ranging from 10 to 25 cm in height. It blooms from March to April, forming inflorescences of about 10 slightly pendulous yellow flowers.Perfect for planting in flower beds in larger groups of 10 - 20 pieces. Prefers semi-shaded positions and is fully frost-resistant.
Chinese Primrose(Primula praetinens) is a species distinguished by its characteristic, ornamental, oval and heavily serrated leaves. The flowers are multi-colored, depending on the variety. It blooms from March to April and is perfect for garden beds. The growing position should be semi-shaded. The species is resistant, but it cannot stand frost.
Georgian primrose (Primula juliae)
Fig. Salvor Gissurardottir, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Georgian primrose(Primula juliae) is a primula from the Caucasus, where it grows on damp and rocky slopes. Violet shade flowers appear in March and April. Leaves tightly corrugated. Height up to 10 cm. Perfect for garden beds and rockeries located in semi-shaded places.
Japanese Primrose (Primula japonica)
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Japanese Primrose(Primula japonica) is one of the taller primroses, growing up to 50 cm in height. Dark red flowers appear in April. Light green oblong leaves. It can be planted in garden beds. Looks great when planted on the shores of a pond. Prefers semi-shaded positions.
You can find an interesting varietyJapanese primrose 'Miller's Crimson'with intensely red flowers with darker eye.
Flower primrose(Primula florindae) is a primula flowering quite late, because only in summer. Fragrant, light yellow flowers. Under favorable conditions, it can reach up to 100 cm in height. For planting in gardens, it is perfect for ponds. It grows best in partial shade, although it also grows well in full sun in wet positions near a pond.
Medicinal primula (Primula veris)
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Medicinal primrose(Primula veris), also often referred to as the spring primrose, is a plant found mainly in Europe. Until recently, it was also found in large numbers in Polish meadows, but nowadays it is very rare. Light yellow flowers, shoots up to 20 cm long. It blooms in garden beds from the second half of April. Requires semi-shaded and calcareous soils.
Primula gypsophila (Primula auricula)
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Primula gypsophila(Primula auricula) is a species that occurs naturally in the Pieniny and Tatra Mountains, where it grows over limestone rocks. Yellow flowers, leaves are soaked, gathered in rosettes. It blooms from April to May. Requires semi-shaded positions. It works great on rockeries between limestone rocks.
Primula Sieboldii (Primula Sieboldii)
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Primrose Siebolda(Primula Sieboldii) produces white or white-pink flowers gathered in umbels. It can be grown in garden beds, preferably among plants that develop in late spring, because the above-ground part often dies after flowering. Blooms in May, Requires partial shade.
Serrated Primrose(Primula denticulata) forms spherical inflorescences of purple, purple or white color. It blooms at the turn of March and April. Leaves wrinkled, thick, leathery. Reaches a height of up to 20 cm. It grows well in partial shade and is hardy enough.
Serrated primrose 'Alba'
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This species is available in several varieties, of which theserrated primrose 'Alba'with fine, white flowers, andserrated primrose 'Rubin ', blooming in red and purple.
Primroses - application
Primroses are a spring decorationflower beds and rock gardens. Due to their strong colors and the preferred semi-shaded positions, primula are best planted under larger deciduous and coniferous trees or shrubs. They blend beautifully with common ivy and virgin ivy.
In the garden bedgood company for primulawill also be a forget-me-not, garden pansy, daisy, hellebore, ornamental grasses and various species of bulbs.
Primrose species preferring moist places(Japanese or flower primrose) can be planted near water reservoirs, and those requiring full sun (Georgian primrose, medicinal, stemless) in rock gardens.
Primroses blooming in the garden bed
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Primroses - cultivation and requirements
Primroses grow bestin diffused sun or even partial shade, but they will also adapt to sunny places. Soil requirements vary by species, but most thrive in well-drained, loamy, moist and humus soils.
Primroses require abundant wateringEspecially when grown in a sunny place. In such conditions, the stemless, Georgian and medicinal primrose feels best. At the same time, these perennials are sensitive to excess water in the substrate, especially in winter. It is a good idea to find a stand that is naturally protected against standing water, e.g. on a raised bed.
Medicinal primula (Primula veris) planted in the garden
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Primers do not require fertilizationas long as we have prepared humus soil rich in nutrients for them before planting.Such soil can be easily prepared by adding compost to the garden soil. You may be tempted to occasionally feed the plants in pot-growing, and only when the substrate in which primroses grow is not rich in minerals.
To enjoyblooming primroses at home for a long time , place the pots in a cool and semi-shaded place, for example on the windowsill of a window with a northern exhibition. The warmer it is in the apartment, the shorter the primula will bloom.
Primrose - wintering
Primroses are frost-resistant , they can withstand temperatures as low as -20 ° C. During snowless winters, however, they are exposed to physiological drought, which leads to their death. Therefore, in late autumn, it is worth protecting them with toppings, garden bark or dry leaves. Species that are less resistant to frost, such as stemless primrose and serrated primrose, can be grown in a pot or can be transplanted into a container for the winter and placed in a cool and bright frost-free room.
Planting primroses in a balcony box
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Primrose - reproduction
Primroses are reproduced in 3 ways:
Propagation of primroses by dividing clumps- the simplest method of reproducing primroses, it works best with the serrated primrose. Usually the division is made immediately after the perennial is dug up. We divide the plant into parts so that each of them has several growth tips. Then shorten the leaves and roots and plant the plants directly in a permanent place, then water abundantly.
Propagation of primroses by sowing seeds- seeds of primroses: lofty, stemless and Georgian require several weeks of stratification at a temperature below 0 ° C. The seeds are sown from September to November. Primroses high and stemless can be additionally sown from February to April.
Seeds of primroses are sownin a container filled with a mixture of sand and garden peat in the ratio 1: 1. They will begin to emerge after a few weeks. When the seedlings have 2-3 leaves, they can be planted permanently.
Propagation of primroses by root cuttings- mother plants should be dug out with roots as long as possible before winter and stored in a cool room against frost. On the upper parts of the roots of primroses, there are poorly visible dormant buds, so we do not cut these roots into smaller cuttings, but we cut them whole, placing them diagonally in the substrate. Ready, rooted cuttings are planted in May or June.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
