Primula 2015

[SJW]

It's possible Steve. I can't remember where I got mine from and 'Lismore' wasn't on the label. Do you have a picture?

This is mine, David. The flower seems a bit more plum-ish coloured than appears in the photo.

[Matt T]

P. marginata 'Kesselring's Var.' is covered in flowers at the moment, and without rain here they are looking at their absolute best.

My mystery 'Jenny?' is looking great too, and of all the Primula I have, she has the best scent. No response from the nursery yet re ID.

[David Nicholson]

Can I just ask what everyone uses for the Allionii as potting mix - I am using about 50% JI no 1 - about 25% 6mm grit - 10% coarse perlite and 15% johndo mixed chicken grit with limestone and oyster shells in it - plastic pots
not sure if I need to reduce the JI if i move over to clays

Graham I use, for plastics, 2 parts JI No2, 1 part multi-purpose or fine composted bark if I can get hold of it, 1 part grit and 1 part gritty sand. I don't grow in clays as I don't have room for a plunge, but if I did I'd probably up the grit by a part.

[David Nicholson]

This is mine, David. The flower seems a bit more plum-ish coloured than appears in the photo.

.... and this mine with a picture a bit on the dark side. Look a lot like each other? There doesn't seem to be a lot of info. on the Net but did find reference to 'Peardrop' being a cross between Auricula 'Old Red Dusty Miller and P. allionii. In Mary Robinson's book she refers to Lismore 79/10/2 being the same cross

[David Nicholson]

P. marginata 'Kesselring's Var.' is covered in flowers at the moment, and without rain here they are looking at their absolute best.

My mystery 'Jenny?' is looking great too, and of all the Primula I have, she has the best scent. No response from the nursery yet re ID.

They really look great Matt.

[johnw]

Matt  - Your P. marginata 'Kesselring's Var.' is quite the exceptional marginata.  So many named ones I really can't tell apart.

johnw

[Matt T]

Thanks, David. I can't claim any real skill in growing them, they just seem to love our climate here.

John, I agree that so many cultivars are so similar. I try to limit my plant selections to those that 1. I like, 2. grow well in the open garden and 3. are distinctive for one reason or another. 'Kesselring's' easily falls into all three categories, perhaps its only (very small) fault is having flower stems that are a little too long for our breezy conditions.

[Maggi Young]

Chris B had some success at the Edinburgh show today  (.... I've pinched her pix!)


Primula 'Broadwell Milkmaid'


I think this is Primula forbesii

[David Nicholson]

Well done Chris, nice Milkmaid. And there was me thinking you found it as 'miffy' as I did! You wait until next year and I might have some to give you a run for your money.

I'm not sure about Primula forbesii, but maybe it was the lighting in the Show Hall, but your's seems a lot deeper pink than these pictures suggest?


http://www.primulaworld.com/PWWeb/gallery/slides/forbesiiDR1.html

[Maggi Young]

To be honest, I just guessed it is P. forbesii .   Christine will be able to tell us when she gets home and recovers from getting up sat 4am!

[SJW]

.... and this mine with a picture a bit on the dark side. Look a lot like each other? There doesn't seem to be a lot of info. on the Net but did find reference to 'Peardrop' being a cross between Auricula 'Old Red Dusty Miller and P. allionii. In Mary Robinson's book she refers to Lismore 79/10/2 being the same cross

Hi David - yes, they are the same cultivar. As you know, Lismore  was the name used by the Burrows (before moving on to naming their selections after family members). Coincidentally, I was chatting to Brian Burrow at the Chesterfield show today and he says 'Peardrop' (it wasn't actually given the Lismore prefix) was the first of their Primula allionii hybrids to be named back in 1977.

[David Nicholson]

Many thanks for that Steve.

[Philip Walker]

P.'Lindum Crepe Suzette'
P.veris macrocalyx

[Roma]

Primula 'Kusum Krishna'
Primula 'Marven'  the colour is a bit too blue
Primula allionii x 'Blairside Yellow' Lis. P79/8
Primula allionii x 'Old Red Dusty Miller'   this one is numbered Lis. P77/12

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Fantastic Primulas everybody !

I have a few marginata's in flower in the garden at the moment :

- the pristine white Primula marginata 'Casterino'

- the quite dark blue Primula marginata 'Mauve Mist'