Annuals Dictionary: Primula
Primrose family
Primulaceae
Prim’you-la. Primrose . A large genus of over 400 species of low-growing, herbaceous plants of the northern hemisphere, found mostly in alpine and cool localities.
Description
Stems short or none. Leaves crowded, stalked, long and narrow, or roundish or tufted, the midrib generally prominent on underside. Flowers on leafless stalks, sometimes with leafy bracts, solitary, or in loose umbels, in whorled tiers, or in rounded heads. Flowers yellow, white, red, blue, pink, or purple. Calyx of 5 sepals, joined halfway, usually slightly inflated, generally pale green. Corolla of 5 lobes, tubular at the base. Stamens 5, not protruding.
How to Grow
After refrigerating them for 3 weeks, sow fresh seeds indoors in fall for spring flowers. Transplant seedlings to progressively larger pots. Plant out after spring frost. Seedlings can also winter in protected cold frames. In low elevations of Calif., direct seed in fall. All species prefer cool weather.
Primula malacoides
Fairy Primrose . 4-18 in. (10-45 cm) high. Flowers lilac or pink, to in. (13 mm) wide, in several whorls on each stalk. China. ‘Alba’ has white flowers, ‘Rosea’ bright rose-colored flowers. In low elevations of Calif., will bloom in winter and early spring. In northern and coastal gardens, blooms in summer. Perennial grown as a half-hardy annual.
Primula obconica
German Primrose . To 12 in. (30 cm) high. Flowers lilac, pink, red, and white, 1 in. (2.5 cm) wide, in many-flowered umbels. China. Many good cultivars. Same blooming times as P. malacoides . Leaves can cause mild skin irritation. Perennial grown as a half-hardy annual.
Primula – polyantha
Polyanthus . To 12 in. (30 cm) high. Flowers 1-2 in. (4-5 cm) wide, purple, blue, rose, yellow, white, or scarlet, in profuse clusters. Blooms in spring. Hybrids derived from P. elatior, P. veris , and P. vulgaris . The easiest primrose to grow. Perennial treated as a hardy annual.