Primula March 2007

[David Nicholson]

Here's the first of my Primula x pubescens to flower this year-Primula x pubescens "Peggy". It is an offset taken from a larger plant but the larger plant is still in bud.

[Corinne]

 
Beautiful!

I notice the 'standing' leaves.

Corinne

[johanneshoeller]

Here are 2 pubescens seedlings (hirsuta x auricula) from plants which grow at a mountain near Innsbruck, Austria.

Hans
from Austria

[David Nicholson]

Hans, lovely plants. You can "see" Primula auricula in the eye of the second one.

[DaveM]

A really great plant - Primula 'Arduaine', been in flower for about 2 weeks now, but approaching its best. I always keep this in pots to enjoy the farina as well as the flowers.

[Lesley Cox]

Just lovely Dave.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

It is a wonderful specimen Dave !!!  Beautiful plant !

[David Nicholson]

A nice plant Dave.

[hadacekf]

Dave,
Simply beautiful plant!

[Armin]

"primula vulgaris" - you may think it is nothing special? Considering how rare this species became in the wild here -I thought it is worth posting it.
It is spreading well - this year 1st. hybrids appeared.

Question to the experts: Does "vulgaris" naturally cross with "elatior"?
I've searched the web but found only pictures of "vulgaris x veris" but are not matching with mine in the garden.

Blossom of the cross is as early as "vulgaris" (January) but stem and leaves are like "elatior". (The picture is taken last year March, this year slugs attacked it and it looks not so nice).
I grow "vulgaris", "elatior" and "veris".

[Lesley Cox]

I don't know about that cross Armin, but it does cross with a number of other primulas including the polyanthus types and so called "acaulis" strains. So don't be surprised at anything.

A shame that it has become rare in the wild with you. I'll never forget the first (only) time I saw it growing in its natural home, on a rain-soaked shady bank on the island of Mull, west of Scotland. Big clumps with masses of lemon flowers and truly gorgeous. Unfortunately I was in a bus (beg its pardon, coach) at the time and couldn't stop to photograph. The memory lingers on however.

[Armin]

Lesley, thanks. I also believe pollination has happened by bees & bumble bees carrying over pollen from "acaulis" strains often grown in other gardens causing the color variations.

In the area I live the primula populations (vulgaris,veris & elatior) disappeared from many meadows simply due to too early mow and plenty use of vertilizers by farmers.
Once disappeared they never come back...
It's a dilemma.

[DaveM]

Hi Armin

Primula vulgaris (commonly called the Primrose here in the UK) and P elatior (the Oxlip) are rarely found together in the wild here in the UK, mainly because they generally occupy different habitats, though they do flower at the same time. The Oxlip is confined to woodlands on "chalky boulder clay" (glacial till) in eastern England. The primrose is much more widespread and as Lesley says is a real delight where in grows in abundance particularly in western and northern Britain. On many occasions I have seen it in profusion along stream and roadside banks in the Lake District; a wonderful sight.

However, woodland management techniques in eastern England allow the two species to come together and hybridise as Primula x digenea.

John Richard's book on Primulas has some further details. 

[Armin]

Hello Dave,

thank you for the detailed explanation and hybrid name.

I don't know yet the author &  book, does anybody have the ISBN available?

[David Shaw]

Primula by John Richards
Published by Batsford
ISBN:  0-7134-8728-3