Primula April 2009

[ChrisB]

Hi Maggi et al,  I couldn't see that anyone had started an April slot for primula, but if they have, could you move this to it please?  And Mal, if you are still lurking here, time to come out and say hello to everyone.  The primula pictures I'm showing are all from those you've kindly sent me over the past year!

1. P. 'Boothman's var.
2. P. Primula 'Fairy Rose' KRW 180/48
3. P. allionii H19ENo.12 x Appleblossom  (thank you Mr and Mrs Smethurst!)
4. P. 'Lady Greer'
5. P. 'Freedom'
6. P. 'Lemon Drop'

[ChrisB]

And just a couple more.  All are wee still, but I hope they will grow and become more domed with time and patience.  When I see what can be achieved by the experts, I am left agog.  But they are all very jolly and I'm acquiring more, with encouragement from Sue and you - Mal!!!

[David Nicholson]

I'll think of you at re-potting time Chris, I'm sure to have a few spares. Glad to see you're hooked on them now

[johanneshoeller]

A Primula from Turkey (Instanbul; Primula vulgaris ssp. sibthorpii?) and a nice hybrid.

[annew]

This is Primula 'Johanna' in a large trough.

[ChrisB]

Very nice Jo and Anne!  I have Johanna too, but it has never looked like that!

[Ragged Robin]

This is Primula 'Johanna' in a large trough.

Anne, is Primula 'Johanna' hardy - would it survive alpine winters?  It looks so relaxed and pretty against the rock in your trough

[Lvandelft]

This is Primula 'Johanna' in a large trough.

Ooooooh!

[Maggi Young]

This is Primula 'Johanna' in a large trough.

Anne, is Primula 'Johanna' hardy - would it survive alpine winters?  It looks so relaxed and pretty against the rock in your trough

Robin, Primula 'Johanna' is named for the daughter of Henrik Zetterlund of Gothenburg Botanic Garden who made the hybrid. It is a cross between P. warshenewskiana and P. clarkei.  These species come from the north west Himalayas and so are pretty hardy!
The plant is not so easy to find these days  .....it has always been said by Henrik that the plant does best out of doors and split regularly to keep it robust and flowering well.

[tonyg]

I grew this Primula once upon a long time ago.  At a guess it would be intolerant of very dry summer conditions, what say you Maggi & Anne?

[Maggi Young]

Yes, Tony... and very tasty to vine weevils...... but Anne has cracked it.... hers looks FAB!

[Armin]

Very nice pictures from all!

While crocus fade  primulas appear ...

[annew]

Johanna has been in that trough for about 8 or 9 years without splitting. The original compost was acidic to neutral, and I don't think I've ever fed it. P warshenewskiana grows at the end of the same trough. Now it has received all your kind comments, it will probably be the target of all the neighbourhood vine weevils!

[annew]

Forgot to say, it is on the north side of the house but does get sun from midday in summer, and I do try and keep that trough watered regularly.

[WimB]

Very nice primula's everyone,

some that are flowering here now:

Primula auricula 'Argus'
Primula auricula 'Broadwell's gold'
Primula hirsuta ssp valcuvianensis (now flowering fully)