Primula scotica

[David Nicholson]

Well done Ian.

[David Pilling]

Iann, yours look to be making better progress than mine did. Reading this thread, a picture of the flowers is missing, so this is one of my (above) plugs planted out. In a garden where only the big survive it was hard to find somewhere to put these tiny primulas.

I think some have set seed, so the madness (via the seedex) can begin again.

[Lesley Cox]

In a garden where only the big survive it was hard to find somewhere to put these tiny primulas.

I think some have set seed, so the madness (via the seedex) can begin again.

This is where trough gardening comes into its own.

[David Pilling]

Yes, a trough would be a nice idea, but would it be wet enough.

[Darren]

I've toyed with the idea of an 'Orkney' trough in which i would grow Primula scotica, the tiny form of Scilla verna (which the Hawgoods also usually donate to the seed exchange) and , if I'm lucky, the Frog Orchid and Parnassia palustris. We saw them growing together at the classic P.scotica site in Orkney. I've got 3 of these four plants but have still not gotten round to it!

btw David - A deep fish-box trough would hopefully hold plenty of water and would be what I would try.

[Lesley Cox]

In any case, a cool trough, such as one might use for tiny Asiatic primulas, a (very) dwarf rhodo and other very small shade lovers would be OK, and would, I expect have a well draining mixture in it. Of course the P. scotica doesn't want full shade but some would be all right. Or a sunny trough well watered.

Darren, I'm pleased to see you mention the Orkney form of Scilla verna as being tiny. I have a full pot of seedlings (3 years and there was a flower last spring! - past time I had them planted out) which came as seed from John Hawgood, so I expect they will be the same size. That pleases me very much.

[Darren]

Hi Lesley,

Nice to know you are growing this too. The books are quite dismissive of Scilla verna which I think is a shame. The little forms such as found on Orkney are quite charming in a pot or trough and are valuable also for flowering quite late compared to most bulbs. I've had a pot from John Hawgood's seed for several years and also have now supplemented it with some I collected myself. As a cautionary note - this might not apply in New Zealand - but I find it is very prone to vine weevil.

[t00lie]

As a cautionary note - this might not apply in New Zealand - but I find it is very prone to vine weevil.

Mr and Mrs Weevil and their offspring   live here as well Darren ,although i've never found them to cause damage to Scilla verna. I grow a pink form as well as the blue one in a number of troughs where their small flowers can be appreciated up close --- these plants are small in stature ,however whether they are different from the Orkney form i'm unsure so if you or anyone else has a pic of that i'd love to see it.
Ta.

Cheers dave..

[David Pilling]

Mr and Mrs Weevil and their offspring

It's Ms. Weevil and her offspring, Mr. Weevil dropped off the tree of life many millions of years ago.

With no sexual reproduction and thus not able to adapt to changes, they should be easy to get rid of.

[Darren]

Umm - don't think I've got a photo Dave. Very remiss of me. Did notice ripe seed earlier in the week, must collect it.

[Lesley Cox]

Yes, as Dave says, the vine weevil is alive and well and living in NZ as, no doubt, in most if not all temperate climates. I don't have a great problem, but get the occasional grubs in pots of Saxifraga, Primula or other Primulaceae. Heuchera also seems to be a favoured target.

My single bulb which flowered last year still in its seed pot (they're up again and STILL in the seed pot) was only about 2cms high but that could have been due to severe overcrowding. For a picture Dave, there was a fantastic one a short while ago of Scilla verna either in the Orneys or the Shetlands, with the blue of the Scilla travelling up hills and as far as the eye could see. I can't remember which thread. Maggi will be able to find it I'm sure.

[Maggi Young]

Reply 255 on page 18 of the northern  Hemisphere thread :
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=5556.msg157670#msg157670
 Lovely picture from my Aberdeenshire Group friends Rosemary and John Lupton.

[Lesley Cox]

Oh yes Maggi, that's the wonderful one. Dave will enjoy that. He'll be thinking "Who needs Celmisias?" 

[iann]

Taken by flash in the gloom of another monsoon storm.  The leaves are whiter when they are dry.

[Maggi Young]

Is that not one lovely little primula? Wonderful colour and such a cute size.