Primula, along with meconopsis, is my favourite genus, the slightly acidic damp soil and the areas of dappled shade present in my previous garden provided an ideal micro-climate for both. These conditions made it possible to grow the mainly Asiatic types along with some European and American species, it did mean however, that the lime loving, mainly European species, were excluded.

The family Primulacae includes cyclamen, androsace and soldanella to name a few. The genus Primula is very large and diverse and because of this was split into 20 sections at the beginning of the twentieth century since when it has been updated into seven sections which are probably more botanically correct, however I will stick to the old classifications as I find them easier to comprehend. I have only included sections where I have grown plants and can provide pictures unless stated.

Section 1 Cortusoides

These attractive plants have soft velvety leaves which die back to rhizomes in winter, in drier conditions they will tend to go dormant very quickly after flowering which impedes growth. To ensure strong healthy plants a damp spot preferably in light shade is much preferred.

Section 5 Obconica

Once a very popular house plant found everywhere, Primula obconica has now waned in popularity and is rarely seen. Some people had a skin reaction when the plant was handled but I very much doubt this was the only reason for its demise, more probably the advent of orchids being everyone’s favourite was to blame. The picture is not mine and is of a T&M selection.

Section 9 Vernales

The Vernales Section is a large European group containing primroses and polyanthus both of which are very familiar as bedding, in containers and even as house plants. I could only find a couple of pictures of primroses as, to be honest, I have never been a great fan as I have always felt that many primulas, particularly polyanthus, tend to be artificial looking and have consequently been neglected when taking ‘photos. They tend to prefer slightly acid moist soils and can generally be propagated by division or from seed. It is worth noting that most of the primulas that are pictured on this site have been raised from seed.

Section 12 Petiolares

The Petiolaris Section contains around sixty species which are themselves split into several subspecies, however for the sake of sanity, I will not go down this avenue. The whole section is notoriously difficult to grow although there are quite a few species in cultivation. Primula gracilipes minor now named P.’Linnet’ is one of the easiest. Primula tanneri is another that I have grown in a poly tunnel and in the garden. They all like cool conditions in a moist gritty soil. Primula ‘Linnet’ is very close in appearance to P. petiolaris itself which is rarely seen. The plants shown were grown from seed which is the best way, although very careful division is an alternative.

Section 19 Farinosae

The largest section of the genus, also the most diverse, ranging through Asia, Europe and the Americas including our very own Primula scotica. As the name suggests the prominent characteristic is that they all are covered in farina to varying degrees. Although requiring much the same conditions as all the other primulas that I have grown, I raise many of them under cover as they tend to be small in stature and are best established before planting out. All the primulas shown above are easily raised from seed.

Section 20 Denticulata

Primula denticulata is a plant with which nearly every gardener is familiar, commonly known as the ‘drumstick primula’ it has been an early spring flowering feature in many gardens for years. Easy to grow, you can even propagate it from its fleshy roots. The pictured specimen is not very strong having self-seeded itself into a gap with stone either side but it is the only picture I have unfortunately. There is also a rather nice white form, which I now have, with red and purple pink also being available.

Section 21 Capitatae

Primula capitata is a neat little plant from the Himalayas, very definitely a peat lover it tends not to be long-lived.

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 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. I have grown P. chionantha but unfortunately I can’t find a picture.

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 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 where I have included all the sections that I have successfully grown. 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 they banning the sale of peat?