Primula 2014

[David Nicholson]

The first of my Primulas this year.

First two pics are P. 'Lindum Moonlight' usually the first of mine to flower but a little later than last season when I pictured it on 21 December 2012.

Third is P. 'Mylene', one raised by David Philbey under his code DPP 485-02

Last one is one of eight seedlings I bought from Gerd Stopp and this one is under his code 1/08. I notice on his label that Gerd had written "****!!" perhaps Nurseryman's code for a "good 'un". I shall be interested to see this next year (if I don't kill it!) as it is short of a petal this time, not unusual for seedlings.

[Lesley Cox]

They're very nice David and must do much to keep you happy at this dark time of the year, especially with the dreadful weather in the UK that we're hearing about. These should keep you smiling.

[Mark Griffiths]

very nice David, I particularly like Mylene with that mealy eye.

[Cyril L]

Lovely Primulas David.

Primula odontocalyx is an asiatic primula in the petiolaris section and fairly new in cultivation.  It is flowering even earlier than last year.

[Maggi Young]

How  do you cultivate the Primula odontocalyx, Cyril ?

[David Nicholson]

I would like to know that too.

[Cyril L]

Primula odontocalyx seems to be quite tough so far and a couple of plants outside have come through two winters, totally unscathed.  In fact the first one to flower (5th March 2013) was growing in the coldest part of the garden.  The one I showed a picture of is grown in a pot in the greenhouse under the staging during winter.  In summer it will go outside in a partially shaded place.  Compost is the usual JI + composted bark + grit.

Jens Nielsen thinks that, coming from S. Shaanxi, it would grow in warmer/drier conditions than most Himalayan Petiolaris, so should be good for eastern Scotland.

I note seeds were offered in SRGC seed exchange this year.  My own plant set a few seeds which have germinated today.  I think this is a promising new introduction that will become easily established in gardens.

[Maggi Young]

Thank you , Cyril.

[David Nicholson]

Primula odontocalyx seems to be quite tough so far and a couple of plants outside have come through two winters, totally unscathed.  In fact the first one to flower (5th March 2013) was growing in the coldest part of the garden.  The one I showed a picture of is grown in a pot in the greenhouse under the staging during winter.  In summer it will go outside in a partially shaded place.  Compost is the usual JI + composted bark + grit.

Jens Nielsen thinks that, coming from S. Shaanxi, it would grow in warmer/drier conditions than most Himalayan Petiolaris, so should be good for eastern Scotland.

I note seeds were offered in SRGC seed exchange this year.  My own plant set a few seeds which have germinated today.  I think this is a promising new introduction that will become easily established in gardens.

Many thanks Cyril, but would they be likely to cope with a typical Devon Summer (wet, wet and wet!) outdoors?

[Cyril L]

Worth a try David.

[David Nicholson]

Mmmmmmm!?

[Steve Garvie]

Primula megaseifolia






Growing in a pot under the bench of my alpine house where it has been in flower for almost 6 weeks.

[Lesley Cox]

A lovely ne Steve and doing better than mine which was from seed generously given by St Giles (or someone  but now it has a damper climate, or rather a shady garden which retains the available damp, it is looking better this year than previously. I LOVE primulas.

[mark smyth]

I don't think I showed the Primula vulgaris I found last year.

The first two photos show it against a typical wild P. vulgaris. The third photo shows it in the hedge and the last photo shows it against ?Snow Cushion

I pulled it apart and got three plants. Just now there are 5 growing points showing. I'm thinking of calling it Irish Cream

[Lesley Cox]

It's very pretty Mark. It's funny - and rewarding - that even after hundreds of years growing in cultivation, new forms of "old" and favourite plants can still be found.

How are you, by the way?