Section 22 Muscarioides
The best known plant in this section is Primula vialii which is even available as seed and plugs from some of the main online garden companies. The name of the section relates to the flower shape being that of muscari or grape hyacinth. For some reason I have never grown P.vialii, perhaps because it just doesn’t appeal to me. Basically, members of the section need the same treatment as most of the primulas I have described, its smaller relatives are probably safer in a peat bed or alpine house. The primulas in this group that I have grown were all raised and grown in a poly-tunnel as they were a bit too delicate for the main garden. Truth be told the only plant I managed to raise from seed of P. cernua perished before it flowered.
Section 23 Soldanelloides
Primula flaccida, formerly P.nutans, from Yunnan is the only success I have had with members of this section, three plants came from seed but only one survived to flowering and then died. Very difficult group to grow but contains some of the most beautiful plants which are often scented. The star turn is Primula reidii which is not only probably the most beautiful, but has a particularly strong scent as a bonus. Definitely subjects for careful cultivation in the alpine house.
Section 24 Rotundifolia
Rare plants from the Himalayas, Primula rotundifolia may be available from time to time but definitely alpine house subjects.
Section 25 Nivales
Primula chionantha, is the best known of the Nivalids. They are Asiatics which generally are to be found growing on damp meadows and prefer the damper peaty conditions to be found in the north of England and Scotland. The two pictured above, which are both robust species with large strap-shaped leaves, were raised in the poly-tunnel and then planted outside where they were perfectly happy.
Section 26 Parryi
Exclusively an American section, occasionally available.
Section 27 Sikkimensis
Easy to grow section but needs peaty conditions and plenty of water to thrive. Many people will be more familiar with P.florindae, known as the Giant Cowslip, rather than the eponymous Primula sikkimensis, it comes in other colours ranging from red through orange. Generally easy from seed and division of vigorous clumps.
Section 28 Candelabra
Hailing from the Himalayas these easy to grow plants with their tiered flowers are what started my interest in all plants from the alpine regions particularly the Asiatics, I was also lucky in that living in North West provided almost ideal conditions for my favourites. I first saw these in any quantity at Fletcher Moss Gardens, Didsbury but large plantings can be seen at Ness Gardens and Harlow Car Gardens. Although they will grow in any good peaty soil they need water to really thrive and make an excellent pond-side planting especially in numbers.
Section 29 Auriculastrum
European section comprising of several major species and thousands of hybrids as the best known, Primula auricula, has the ability to breed between species. As a child I remember virtually every garden in our neighbourhood had auriculas, very often the same ones! Show auriculas are still frequently grown in theatres, open shelving which allows them to stay cool whilst protecting them from the rain. The same principle can be applied to almost all members of the section although some are hardy and long lived others are very much alpine house subjects. No photographs I am afraid as I can’t stand them, auriculas particularly carry artificiality to an art form.
Section 30 Floribunda
Primula x Kewensis is a remarkable hybrid bred at Kew, as its name suggests, which comes true from seed. It was bred from P verticillata and P floribunda and is not fully hardy as I found out to my cost when I first raised it. If kept under glass it will flower in very early spring.
That completes my review of the genus Primula, I included all the sections really to illustrate that there are still many challenges in the botanical world today. When it comes to my failures with some of the more challenging plants, I can only say a poly-tunnel is really not adequate when compared with a dedicated alpine house however the pleasure and satisfaction I gained from actually raising some of these subjects from seed was very much worth the effort.
In many descriptions I have mentioned peat as being an essential component to the growth of these plants, many of which grow best in a peat bed. In a future post I hope to show the totally illogical approach the government is taking by banning the sale of peat for horticultural use.
Peat for horticultural use is extracted from 4,500 hectares of peatland which is 0.15% of the 3,000,000 hectares in the UK. Why are the banning the sale of peat?
A Plantsman's World 