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Are you a primrose addict? Looking for a way to extend the blooming season? With a little bit of work creating a reasonably moist area in your garden, you can grow the elegant Candelabra primroses and extend the primrose season into mid-summer.
The genus Primula is vast with many hundreds of species. They hail primarily from the northern hemisphere with the greatest diversity found in the Himalayan region, especially Yunnan, Sichuan and Burma. However, they extend from the subtropics all the way to north of the Arctic Circle. Some need boggy soils, others relatively dry, well-drained soil. Although popular garden plants easily grown by many gardeners, most of the species are actually quite demanding in cultivation. As a rule, we think of primroses as spring blooming but there is one group that blooms from late spring through to mid-summer and offer easy culture, as long as you follow a few simple rules. Here, I am referring to the Candelabra primroses, commonly called bog primroses.
Taxonomically, primroses are placed into a number of different sections, based on floral similarities. The candelabra primroses belong to the section Proliferae. As a group, they are easy to recognize. All produce rosettes of upright leaves from which rises stiffly upright flower stems 30-60 cm tall. The flowers are produced in whorls along the length of the upper flower stem. Each whorl opens sequentially with 6-18 flowers per whorl and up to 8 sequential whorls. This flowering habit means the plants are in bloom over a period of 4-6 weeks. This section is native to wet meadows, marshes and mountain streamsides of SW China (Yunnan, Burma, Sichuan, Bhutan) with one species found in Japan. They are hardy to at least USDA zone 5, but some are even hardier.
Culturally, these primroses require an evenly moist, deep (30 cm), organically-rich soil. They are ideal for planting in bog gardens or along streams and garden ponds. These primroses look best when planted in groups. They grow in both sun or part shade but require more water if grown in the former situation. Some are evergreen but most are deciduous and overwinter as a tight, acorn-like knob. They are easily grown from seed especially if the seed are fresh. They need 4-6 weeks stratification for maximum germination. Mature plants may be divided after they bloom. The main pest is root weevil larvae which burrow into their thick, thong-like roots, causing the plants to collapse mid-summer. Biological control is available via predatory nematodes.
In THE GENUS PRIMULA by Josef Halda, he lists 25 species as belonging to this section. However, many of these are essentially unknown in cultivation although potentially, they should not be difficult to grow. The inaccessibility of the plants is the main reason for their rarity in cultivation. Thankfully, there are about a dozen species that are readily available and they come in a rainbow of colours including white, pink, red, purple, yellow and orange.
Among the deciduous, crimson to reddish-purple species are P. beesiana (aka P. burmanica), P. japonica and P. pulverulenta. All grow 60-90 cm tall. Primula beesiana has carmine-red to nearly neon-pink flowers with a yellowish eye. Primula japonica is perhaps the hardiest and largest of the candelabra primroses. The flowers of the wild form are purplish-red with a darker eye. However, there are several named cultivars available in shades of crimson, pink or white. All have dark reddish eyes. Primula pulverulenta is also reddish-purple with a dark eye but the stems and lower leaf surfaces are covered in whitish powder (called farina).
Above: Primula japonica in crimson, pink and white, along with P. pulverulenta.
Among the yellow to orange-red species are P. aurantiaca, P. bulleyana, P. chungensis, P. cockburniana and P. helodoxa. Primula aurantiaca is the shortest of the candelabra group, reaching about 30 cm (the others reach 60-90 cm). Its flowers are deep reddish-orange with a yellow eye. Primula bulleyana is the most robust of this colour group. From reddish-orange buds open bright orange flowers without a noticeable eye. Primula chungensis is very similar to P. bulleyana but the flowers are yellow-orange and slightly smaller. Primula cockburniana is a taller, more slender version of P. aurantiaca with reddish-orange flowers, but the eye of this one is darker than the rest of the flower rather than yellow. It is also short-lived, perhaps best grown as a biennial, so save seed for future stocks! Primula helodoxa is easy to recognize by its bright yellow flowers.
Above: Primula bulleyana, P. cockburniana and P. X bullesiana hybrid
These last group of candelabra primroses are the evergreen types. These are not as hardy as the others, producing smaller rosettes, smaller flowers and shorter but more slender flower stems. These include P. anisodora, P. poissonii and P. wilsonii. Primula anisodora has such dark purple flowers that from a distance they appear black. This contrasts with a yellowish to white eye. Really striking! The flowers smell of anise. Primula poissonii has bright purplish-crimson to magenta flowers with a distinct yellow eye while P. wilsonii is rich purple-pink (darker than P. poissonii but lighter than P. anisodora) with a yellow eye.
Above: Primula anisodora
The deciduous species often hybridize, both in the wild and in gardens, creating a mesmerizing assortment of lovely coloured primroses that make identification of the true species difficult at times. In particular are the Bullesiana hybrids (bulleyana X beesiana) and Chunglenta hybrids (chungensis X pulverulenta). These comes in a mixture of orange, reddish-pinks and in particular, apricot shades.
So if you are a primrose fan and want to extend the blooming season of this lovely group of perennials, then why not develop a spot to grow the elegant candelabra primroses!
(I would like to thank bootandall for the use of the Primula cockburniana picture)
About Todd Boland
I reside in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. I work as a research horticulturist at the Memorial University of Newfoundland Botanical Garden. I am one of the founding members of the Newfoundland Wildflower Society and the current chair of the Newfoundland Rock Garden Society. My garden is quite small but I pack it tight! Outdoors I grow mostly alpines, bulbs and ericaceous shrubs. Indoors, my passion is orchids. When not in the garden, I'm out bird watching, a hobby that has gotten me to some lovely parts of the world.
Posted by margieseyfer (from Wheat Ridge, CO) on February 4, 2008 at 3:13 PM:
Thanks for identifying the primrose that stands tall. Mine hug the ground. Now I know what to buy at the garden center.
Thanks, Todd!
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Subject: Great article Todd!
Posted by flowerhead410 (from Nelson, NH) on February 1, 2008 at 9:32 AM:
I really enjoyed your article on primroses, Todd. I have a few primula, but none of the candelabra type. I am looking forward to them becoming a new addiction! The P. cockburniana was especially attractive with the silvery blue stem and orange blooms. Stunning contrast! I enjoy information you share in the rock/alpine forum as well. Your knowledge is greatly appreciated here.Thanks a bunch!
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Posted by doccat5 (from Fredericksburg, VA) on February 1, 2008 at 11:36 AM:
These are just lovely, I have none, but want some, now. Thanks for sharing the information. The photos are fab!!
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Posted by Dutchlady1 (from Naples, FL) on February 1, 2008 at 11:46 AM:
Very nice article; I had these in England and remember them fondly.
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Posted by Dutchlady1 (from Naples, FL) on February 1, 2008 at 11:46 AM:
Very nice article; I had these in England and remember them fondly.
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Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on February 1, 2008 at 1:09 PM:
OK, where do I sign? I'm ready! x, Carrie
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Posted by bluespiral (from Ellicott City, MD) on February 1, 2008 at 1:10 PM:
I'm another fan of the knowledge Todd shares on the rock/alpine forum, but the subject of primroses is especially close to my heart, since neighboring trees have shaded the hillside beside our house.
To anyone who also loves Todd's primrose articles, you might consider joining the American Primrose Society. Among other things, they have a seed exchange - [HYPERLINK@www.americanprimrosesociety.org]
Thank you, Todd - hope to see more articles from you on this subject - how about one on companions for primroses? I'm especially interested in evergreens to give winter presence to a primrose garden, like background framing, low trailers for trickling down the stones holding up the few narrow "flat" places (ours are terraced with random curves of nondescript stones dug from double trenching the rest of the gardens a couple of decades ago), and any other diminutive beauties sprinkled through the garden. I don't ask for much do I? lol
ps - another seed exchange that includes primrose seed among others is: [HYPERLINK@www.nargs.org]
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Posted by PrimroseSue (from Medway, MA) on February 1, 2008 at 1:39 PM:
Nice article! Obviously, by my name, you can tell I love primula. Don't have many, but am slowly working on a collection. They're so cheerful!
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Posted by flowerhead410 (from Nelson, NH) on February 1, 2008 at 2:27 PM:
Thanks blue for the links-I'm not sure how it worked for others, but the link for the american primrose society didn't work for me, so I'll post it again to see if it might help:
[HYPERLINK@www.americanprimrosesociety.org]
Looks like a great place to check out! Thanks!
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Posted by DonnaMack (from Grayslake, IL) on February 4, 2008 at 12:46 PM:
Thank you Todd. I am a particular fan of primula Japonica and managed to amend my clay, alkaline soil to accomodate them in a location on the north side of my house. I have had as many as 8-10 at a time, but I notice that if I do not monitor my rampant nicotiana alata they destroy the primroses (which happened last season).
Your article inspired me to start again! I have ordered six (Bluestone) and am trying to track down seed. J.L. Hudson does not have it this year, so I'll keep looking. I think the seed germinates best in cool conditions so I'd best track doen that seed!
Thank you for the beautiful images.
Donna
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Posted by PrimroseSue (from Medway, MA) on February 4, 2008 at 1:28 PM:
Donna, Thompson & Morgan has seeds. Also, for plants, Big Dipper Farm and Evermay Nursery are two more good sources. Good luck!
Sue
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Posted by DonnaMack (from Grayslake, IL) on February 4, 2008 at 4:26 PM:
Dear Primrose,
Thank you! I have a T&M catalog in my bag and, of course, you're right. I'm placing the order today.
Donna
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Posted by bluespiral (from Ellicott City, MD) on February 8, 2008 at 6:57 PM:
DonnaMack, I successfully germinated Primula japonica last spring by winter sowing seed in recycled milk jugs from DG member Tammy following these instructions: [HYPERLINK@www.wintersown.org]
Using the same method, I got zero germination from the same seeds (white variety) bought from J L Hudson - usually their seed germinates pretty well for me, so this was unusual.
DG has a great Winter Sowing forum where lots of folks would be very helpful if you have any questions, and/or I'll be happy to help you through the process, too.
Marianne Kuchel, in the Autumn APS journal, notes that "Susan [Gray] [lives in Nova Scotia] has had great luck with P. acaulis, auricula, polyanthus, chungensis, bulleyana and beesiana, starting them indoors, but has found that P. pulverulenta, sieboldii and japonica need to be cold treated." Norman C. Deno, in Seed Germination Theory and Practice (worth its weight in primrose seeds) advises starting P. kisoana at indoor temps, too.
The species that I tried to grow last year fell into the same pattern of germination.
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Posted by DonnaMack (from Grayslake, IL) on February 8, 2008 at 8:03 PM:
Hi Bluespiral,
Thanks for the great information. Ironically, I also purchased the JLH white primrose seed, and got no results (yes, highly, highly unusual). But I must confess that, knowing they love cold temperatures for germination, I simply went outside early in the year and threw seed around. Works with verbena bonariensis, nicotiana and borage, but no dice. Love those things, and prefer to grow from seed plants that have iffy survival. Sometimes they actually self sow for me (especially the burgundy ones) and sometimes they disappear. Historically I put them near Athyrriam Felix femina, Lady fern (remember the cover of a White Flower Farm catalogue from a few years back?)
Thompson and Morgan gave me $10 worth of coupons (why is another story) so I used it to get their primula japonica mix. But I also ordered two six packs from Bluestone, and Millaeger's in Racine always has wonderful plants. (My husband always says that I'm a belt and suspenders kind of gal).
So I'll try the method on the seeds. Some plants are just too wonderful to do without. So I'm off to the winter sowing article again.
Thank you!
Donna
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Posted by PrimroseSue (from Medway, MA) on February 9, 2008 at 10:17 AM:
Donna, I got the same $10 from T&M, only because I requested a catalog. I hadn't received one last year - don't know why. So I ordered my prim seeds, also!
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Posted by DonnaMack (from Grayslake, IL) on February 9, 2008 at 3:50 PM:
Primrose,
How funny.
What happened to me with T&M is that years ago I ordered 4 packets of imomoea Andersoni from them. At $4.59 a pack (plus shipping!) they were expensive. My germination was zero - ZERO! I e-mailed them twice about it, and received no response. So I wrote to the mighty Garden Watchdog and gave them a negative review. I don't like to give companies negative reviews. We're all human, and I'll let a couple of disappointing experiences go - BUT...
Then low and behold, they sent me two packets of the seed. Frankly, having gone through 4 packets with no success, I didn't bother to plant it, and did not place an order. Then last year TA DA there are the coupons. Their current rating is 60 positive 19 neutral and an astounding 45 negative. And the shipping! Ordering one packet of $3.95 primroses requires $4.95 in shipping. JL Hudson (bless his heart) charged $1.50 for primula seed and $1.00 for shipping. Up to 20 packets will set you back $1.00 for shipping!
