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Primula species and hybrids
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Primula vulgaris 'pink' |
Over
400 species of Primula grow throughout the world. Add
to that the thousands of hybrids and selections and you
have a mind-boggling variety of plants. These plants
have captivated gardeners for centuries. Many offer a
bounty of colorful spring blossoms on well-proportioned
plants.
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Unfortunately many gardeners are introduced to Primulas by buying
hybrid plants from chain stores. Often these plants come from
seed that is bred to produce large, colorful plants in as short
a time as possible. Because they are often grown in greenhouses,
hardiness to climate is not a consideration. These plants rarely
perform for very long in the open garden.
Cultivation
There are many wonderful species and hybrids, which will thrive,
in the proper garden environment. Some generalizations can
be made about their cultural requirements. The big three
are:
-
Moisture. Never let them dry out
completely. Almost all need a constant supply of moisture.
This varies from barely moist, well drained conditions
to wet, even waterlogged conditions.
- Shade. In cooler Northern New England and in coastal
areas, many will take full sun. In other areas shade is necessary.
- Fertile soil. Some alpine species require a well drained,
fertile soil while some bog species prefer rich, muck soils.
The catalog describes particular cultural requirements, but you
should assume that most will prefer a good, rich and moist soil
in partial shade.
Cultivation hints for twelve easy and beautiful Primula:
Primula auricula- Half shade and well
drained yet moist and fertile soil.
Primula beesiana (and Primula x bulleesiana)- Shade and moist, fertile soil.
Primula chungensis- Shade and moist, fertile
soil.
Primula cockburniana- Shade and fertile, woodland type soil which is well drained.
Primula denticulata- Shade or half sun in fertile soil which can be wet in the
spring, never dry.
Primula elatior- Shade and fertile, moist soil. Will naturalize when happy.
Primula frondosa- Shade and fertile, peat soil or shady trough
Primula japonica- Shade to half sun. Fertile, moist, even wet soil. Will
naturalize when happy.
Primula kisoana- Shade and fertile, well drained, yet moist soil. Spreads
slowly.
Primula sieboldii- Half sun or shade and any well drained, fertile, moist soil.
Summer dormant.
Primula veris- Sun or shade in any fertile, moist soil.
Any of the Primula X hybrids- Half sun or shade and any well drained fertile,
moist soil.
Please
visit our catalog page to order some of our beautiful
and hardy primulas.
For more information, go to the web site of the American
Primrose Society: www.americanprimrosesoc.org
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