Primula what?

[Palustris]

Anyone put a name to this Primula?
TIA

[johnw]

Looks like P. 'Francisca'  If so Francisca Darts found it on the compost heap at a garden centre in Vancouver.

I posted a pic a year or so ago but can't find it on the hard drive here or by Forum search.

johnw

[Martinr]

I think John is correct...but whatever its name it is grotesque

[johnw]

I have a weakness for green flowers and these last forever, 2 months after opening they still look "good".

johnw

[Maggi Young]

Looks like P. 'Francisca'  If so Francisca Darts found it on the compost heap at a garden centre in Vancouver.

I posted a pic a year or so ago but can't find it on the hard drive here or by Forum search.

johnw

 So you did John...  here, June 19th 2010..... http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=5556.msg156971#msg156971

 Anne Wright showed it simply as 'Francisca'  here http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=1330.msg40712#msg40712


 "arisaema"  here     http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=1851.msg46906#msg46906


 and here , misnamed but corrected later inthe thread, at the Malvern Show 2009:  http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=3538.msg92296#msg92296

[David Nicholson]

I think John is correct...but whatever its name it is grotesque

I share your view Martin, horrendous. Sorry John!

[Palustris]

Thanks folks. I will take your word for it. Like it or not at least now I can put a label to it and leave others to choose. 

[Carlo]

I'm with John...I think it's great--and it DOES last longer than any other primula I've grown. My last use was to wonderful effect along a woodland border. I hope I can get it again!

[johnw]

I'm with John...I think it's great--and it DOES last longer than any other primula I've grown. My last use was to wonderful effect along a woodland border. I hope I can get it again!

Good man Carlo. I found a shot of Primula 'Francisca' taken 19 June 2010.  It was still looking good but completely green as Hurricane Earl made landfall here in early September.  I had no appreciation for green flowers until I read Graham Stuart Thomas, he recommended using greens including the green Viburnum with Rhododendron catawbiense or ponticum with their lavender flowers.  A few months later a local floral designer who had studied with Constance Spry did the same combination at our rhodo show to great effect. Changed my mind about that lavender shade and green forever - for the former colour I had a particular aversion, we were always trying to breed it out of rhodos.

I think Dan Heims does it.    If I hear of anyone going to the US I can send you a piece.

johnw