Primulas 2012

[Giles]

Companion planting 
P.sieboldii and P.japonica
P.concholoba and P.deflexa
The sieboldii was just a single growth last year.

[Giles]

P.geraniifolia
P.prolifera
Polyanthus seedling
'Starry'

[Giles]

The grand finale:
P.handeliana

[ranunculus]

Primula vialii

[Brian Ellis]

Primula flaccida

[David Nicholson]

The grand finale:
P.handeliana

.... of an extremely good show Giles. I've thoroughly enjoyed them all.

[David Nicholson]

Cliff and Brian, I've tried each of those a number of times and have always lost them the year after flowering. Instructions please!

[Brian Ellis]

What makes you think that I won't lose it too David?  It seems happy in the "moist but well drained soil" at themmoment, but it's a wonder the normal 'enemies' haven't got to it - slugs and snails seem to have taken a fancy to my seedlings from Saruma henryi and it's probably a matter of time until they find their way round the corner

[Giles]

I've thoroughly enjoyed them all.

-maybe an encore, then:
P.ioessa  (about 5 inches high, and fragrant)
 

[David Nicholson]

Always ready for an encore Giles.

Thanks Brian. Apart from Primula vulgaris, veris and sometimes elatior I've never had much sucess with Primulas in the garden. All of the ones listed are in and among shrubs and under a large Cornus controversa variegata (which, incidently, is now impossible to plant under so congested is the root system) so I suppose that tells me something. Everything else I've tried seems to frazzle.

[ronm]

This unknown Primula has appeared from goodness knows where, and is growing in a weed infested, long forgotten seed tray that was hiding behind one of the compost heaps! We can't imagine where it came from as we grow nothing like this and our nearest neighbours have only a lawn, no flowers. Birds? An ID would be great if it's at all possible, but our guess is its just a garden hybrid / commercial something or other, .
It is something we'd like to keep now, but when would be the best time to repot it, please?

[Diane Clement]

This unknown Primula has appeared from goodness knows where, and is growing in a weed infested, long forgotten seed tray that was hiding behind one of the compost heaps! We can't imagine where it came from as we grow nothing like this and our nearest neighbours have only a lawn, no flowers. Birds? An ID would be great if it's at all possible, but our guess is its just a garden hybrid / commercial something or other, .
It is something we'd like to keep now, but when would be the best time to repot it, please? 

It's a candelabra type, either P japonica Miller's Crimson, or P pulverulenta.  I wouldn't keep it in a pot, it would prefer to be in the garden, in a damp or shady spot, so I wouldn't move it at the moment, unless you have a boggy area that doesn't dry out.  Leave it until dormant in the autumn.   

[ronm]

Thanks for the advice Diane. I'll find a shady, moist spot by the pond in Autumn.

[Giles]

 

[Giles]

Collected from Cluny last Summer,
P.ioessa, still only 5 inches high.
also
P.aurantiaca
P. serratifolia SDR5165 (overwintered planted out in a normal flowerbed - so worth trying)