Indoor primrose flowers: photo, care at home. The most unpretentious, beautiful and rare primroses

The very first bright spring Flower- This is a perennial garden primrose. They are the ones who open the flower season in the garden.

Perennial primrose and its hybrids are low-growing plants, only 10 cm high, with brightly colored flowers. They bloom as soon as the snow melts in April - May, and are considered the first spring flowers.

Primrose growing from seeds at home

It is believed that growing primroses from seeds is difficult. Therefore, most often they buy new plants in pots or divide old ones. And, despite this opinion, we will share a way to grow primrose from seeds at home.

In order for these perennial flowers to bloom early and abundantly, you need to prepare for planting them late autumn or at the beginning of winter. Many years of experience says that fresh flower seeds that have undergone stratification germinate best. It is difficult to find such seeds in stores. Most often, last year's seeds are available, which germinate worse than fresh ones. However, you can always collect the flower seeds you like and stratify your home.

How to stratify flower seeds at home

• Prepare a plastic container for the cake - cut holes in the bottom to drain excess water;
• In late autumn, fill the container with fertile, possibly garden soil;
• The soil should be loose and moist;
• Place primrose seeds on the prepared soil at a distance of 1-1.5 cm;
• Lightly crush the plantings, but do not cover them with soil;
• Moisten with a spray bottle;
• Close the lid.

The container with flower seeds prepared in this way must be buried in the garden so that the soil level in the container and the flower garden is equal. Thus, stratification of garden primrose seeds will occur in the most favorable and natural conditions.

In the spring, when the snow begins to melt, you need to open the lid, but do not dig out the container itself. Water constantly so that the soil is always slightly moist, otherwise the primrose seeds may shed their shell and will not germinate.

When the seedlings grow to a height of 1 cm, they are planted in a shaded place. New primroses are grown in light shade (these are shade-loving flowers), and in the fall they can be transplanted to a permanent place.

How to grow primrose from seeds

At home, it is possible to plant primrose seedlings with seeds. As a rule, new varieties are grown this way. You need to plant primrose seedlings earlier than what is written on the seed packet. Here step by step recommendation how to plant primrose with seeds:

1. Primrose is sowed with seeds in early January.
2. Fill any container for planting with soil.
3. Spread the primrose seeds over the surface of the nutrient soil.
4. Lay the snow on top in a layer of 1-2 cm. When the snow melts, it will pull the flower seeds into the ground to the required depth.
5. Cover the planting container with a clear lid.
6. Place the planting container in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf to stratify.
7. This method of stratification lasts about 2 - 3 weeks.
8. Take out the primrose seedlings and transfer them to a bright, cool place where the temperature is 12-15°.
9. Moisten the soil regularly; it should not dry out.

Advice.

If after two weeks there are no green sprouts visible in the planting container, you can put it back in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks. You can repeat these steps several times, since unfortunately, primrose grows very slowly from seeds.

But already at the end of April - May the resulting young flower seedlings can be transplanted into a shady corner of the garden in open ground, and in the fall - to a permanent place.

Primrose planting and care in open ground

Primrose and terry primrose wake up very early in the spring, so the first mineral fertilizing can be carried out on a crust of ice.

When warm weather arrives, use a garden trowel to loosen the soil around the primroses, sprinkle some fertile soil on the bare roots of the flowers, and remove last year's old leaves.

During the same period, it is necessary to water the plants with a warm solution of gummate, and after a week and a half, feed them with superphosphate.

After the plant has finished flowering, apply organic fertilizer using mullein solution. Primrose flower buds are beginning to form for next year, and the plant needs the strength to grow and develop.

It is this simple care that leads to lush and full flowering.

An important feature is that primrose is moisture-loving, but does not like stagnation of melt water in the roots. This can cause it to rot and die, so to plant primroses in open ground you need to choose a humus-rich and preferably shady place. This beautiful flower for shady places.

Unusual flowers - auricular primroses

• Ear primroses, or auricula (Auricula) - a large group garden forms and varieties of the genus Primula. A wild species that has become the basis for selection is the auricular primrose (P. auricula) from Central and Southern Europe.
• These are low plants with thick rhizomes and fleshy leathery leaves. Peduncles and flowers are covered with a white powdery coating. Petals are pink, lilac, purple, yellow, often with a light eye.

• Auricula are especially loved in England, where they have been collectible plants since the 16th century. Over the past centuries, an incredible number of varieties and forms of auricular primroses have been obtained in Britain: double, variegated two- and three-flowered, iridescent-pearl, with exotically colored petals.
• Auricula can be successfully grown in gardens and parks middle zone Russia. They are quite winter-hardy and unpretentious. Growing Primrose aurica requires a sunny or semi-shady location, loose, nutritious garden soil with good drainage.
• In spring - early summer, watering is especially important when there is a lack of soil moisture. Ear primroses bloom in spring - early summer. They reproduce well by seeds, that is, primrose aurica is grown from seeds perfectly, with flowers blooming in 2-3 years and vegetatively - by segments of rhizomes.

Bought from a supermarket: Titania variety

There are many types of primroses, but in this article I want to talk about the most popular representatives of spring flower beds, the problems of growing them and what you need to do if you want to grow beautiful and unpretentious primroses in your garden.

Belarina Gream variety - also from the supermarket

It just so happens that the degree of passion for primroses in our country largely depends on what foreign innovations nurseries offer us. I will not say unequivocally that all foreign primroses cannot tolerate our harsh climate. However, many popular hybrids from the stemless (P. acaulis) and tall (P. elatior) groups of primroses with double or huge flowers of intricate colors and shapes are not adapted to perennial cultivation in open ground. They are sold not only by supermarkets and garden centers, but also by “knowledgeable” private traders. Buying such primroses can be compared to playing the lottery. Rare individual cultivars in the Moscow region can live safely and bloom profusely for many years. Most will die first a normal winter, or they will lead a miserable existence, weakly developing and meagerly thriving, waiting for a harsh snowless winter in order to die safely and completely. As a rule, in modern industrial floriculture, these varieties are traditionally used as disposable miniature bouquets or fragments of flower arrangements for decorating rooms, offices, verandas and patios.

Auricular primrose (Elena)

Fashion for varietals ear primroses (P. auricula) appeared in our country quite recently and is just gaining momentum. The interest of amateurs in them is growing every year, but the experience of competent cultivation is not yet enough. But foreign selection of auricles has a long history. For example, in England, ear primroses have been popular for more than 400 years. Flower growers love them not only for their beauty, but also for their endurance; auricles tolerate harsh winters and are not particularly demanding on growing conditions. However, such positive qualities Not all auricles have it. However, there are not so many “whims” and only certain varieties and groups are distinguished by their fastidious disposition. But the main problem with foreign varieties of auricula is that in their homeland they are often kept under canopies or in cold greenhouses with constant ventilation during the flowering period. This cultivation culture is due to the fact that in most auricular primroses the degree of formation of powdery plaque (farina), both on flowers and leaves, is highly valued. In the open air, powdered farina crumbles from bad weather or is washed away by rain. Foreign primrose lovers are accustomed to admiring the blooming “eared flowers” ​​in pots not only at exhibitions, but also at home, indoors winter gardens, greenhouses, verandas and terraces. In our country, no one is actively using this method of rearranging auricular culture yet, and for this reason, the choice of foreign varieties must be approached carefully. It is generally accepted that the most unpretentious auricula in open ground growing conditions are the following groups: border (flower bed), terry and alpine. Their flowers are less affected by bad weather. The capricious but spectacular group of “show auricula” is not yet in great demand among Russian collectors, as it requires not only protection during the flowering period, but also dry keeping in unheated greenhouses in the winter, where there is no harmful influence of thaws.

Siebold's primrose (P.siboldii) pink

Old hybrids Primrose Siebold (P. sieboldii) They have been growing in gardens near Moscow for a long time, but they do not differ in variety. As a rule, they are divided into two types with the names “pink” or “lilac”; occasionally “white” is found. Modern varietal Siebold primroses with flowers of incredible shape, including double ones, are found on sale only among advanced collectors. These primroses are unpretentious and winter-hardy, but they differ in the way they are grown. A month and a half after flowering, their foliage begins to gradually die off and the plants go into a dormant period. Some varieties can retain foliage until the end of the season, especially in areas with consistently moderately moist soil. But in early spring, you may not find any signs of the plant’s presence at the planting site. Siebold's primroses wake up much later than other primroses and their delicate leaves emerge from the ground when other primroses are already at their peak of flowering. And one more fundamental difference. The underground rhizome grows quite quickly and over time, Siebold's primrose can happily occupy any free space around itself. In addition, adult specimens require annual mulching with organic matter, since the root system also grows upward, exposing the buds of renewal of the next season by autumn.

According to statistics, the most popular perennial grown by amateur flower growers from seeds has been and remains primrose. But the situation with seeds is exactly the same as with ready-made planting material: amateurs actively use products from foreign manufacturers. And amateur sowers have no fewer problems, and often much more. Information on packages about how to properly use seeds is not always reliable. Great confusion on seductive colorful bags can also be caused by incorrect identification of the type of primroses, which are most often of hybrid origin. Seeds of species primroses are rarely sold in ordinary garden centers. As a rule, they can only be purchased from enthusiastic collectors, since they are not in great demand among a wide range of consumers. Seeds of wild plants often require special germination conditions, which primrose seeds of complex hybrid origin do not need. Contrary to this, “experienced and experienced” flower growers strongly recommend multi-stage stratification and soaking of hybrid seeds in new-fangled biostimulants and growth hormones, simply forgetting that the germination of primroses directly depends on their freshness, and not on pre-sowing treatment. And the packaging date is not always a guarantee of quality and time of seed collection. And yet I am very pleased that all these “troubles” with seed germination, their germination in difficult home conditions and the labor-intensive adaptation of foreign seedlings to the harsh conditions of the Russian climate do not stop desperate enthusiasts, and from time to time they persistently achieve positive results.

Polyanthus hybrid

I also consider myself one of those gardeners who grow garden primroses from seeds. But I have little interest in hybrid seeds that are intended for growing in greenhouses. If I buy seeds at garden centers, I choose polyantha hybrids (P. xpolyantha), high primrose hybrids (P. elatior), Julia primrose hybrids (P. juliae) and, of course, auricula (P. auricula). From the seedlings of these primroses I select the most beautiful and unpretentious ones.

Winter-hardy and unpretentious hybrid seedling of stemless primrose (P.acaulis)

Primrose Julia hybrid (P.juliae)

In the future, I use these plants for breeding purposes - I cross them with primroses, which have been growing for many years and have survived more than one harsh, snowless winter. I am happy when the result is seedlings that are distinguished not only by their exquisite colors, but also by their increased endurance.

Auricular primrose seedling (Alla)

Breeding primroses is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. With desire and patience, you can grow interesting cultivars, even if your collection of primroses is relatively small. Typically, amateur flower growers use two selection methods - open pollination and selection of parental pairs. With open pollination, the seeds are simply collected from the most beautiful primroses. When selecting parent pairs, the coincidence of flowering dates is taken into account and both plants are planted nearby, but apart from other primroses. You can plant not two, but several plants at once in the same way. As a rule, flowers in breeding pairs and groups are pollinated by insects, but you can help nature and use a thin soft brush to transfer pollen from one plant to another.

Polyantha primrose seedling

opened seed pod of polyanthus primrose with spilled seeds

Collecting seeds from primroses is also not difficult. Pay close attention to how the seed pods ripen. Pick them when they turn brown or become waxy. In order for the seeds to ripen well, they are stored in a dry place. The best and most reliable option for ensuring that seedlings are adapted to local growing conditions is winter sowing.

Spring shoots of winter sowing of primroses

Since the seeds of primroses are quite small, they are sown in ordinary buried plastic pots or containers in late autumn (late October, November) after the soil is slightly frozen. You can sow the seeds immediately after collecting them, but often by the end of the season they have already grown into tiny plants and not all of them are able to overwinter without problems. But this also has its advantages - the strongest and most unpretentious survive. Therefore, some hobbyists practice growing primroses obtained by self-seeding. With this method, you only need one condition - keeping the soil under the primroses free of weeds and in a constant, moderately moist state. This increases the chances of seedling survival. It is advisable to transplant young plants from the mother bushes as early as possible. In an open, free space, self-sowing babies develop much faster and usually by the end of the season go to winter as strong young bushes with a rosette of several true leaves.

Primrose seedlings of spring home sowing

In conclusion, a few photographs of seedlings of polyanthus and auricular primroses (I gave the latter conventional names - female names.

Alexandra

Valentina

I had a funny story with this flower. A friend gave me a primrose, but she forgot to say the name of the plant. And I'm super experienced florist“, for four whole months I naively believed that I was growing a new rare variety of Saintpaulia! In general, I got busy, didn’t look closely...

And only when a friend called and asked if I had transplanted her gift into the garden, I suspected something was wrong and took a closer look at the flower. But that was once upon a time - now I know everything about primroses, and I already give them away to friends myself, with my own hands grown from seeds.

Gardeners consider such lush flowers to be the pinnacle of selection. Still would! Look at the “great-grandmother” of modern double flowers, the wild primrose of an invariable lemon shade:

And now - to the riot of colors that we can grow in gardens and on windowsills:

Three types of primroses can be terry: polyanthus (multifloral), auricula (eared) and stemless.

Rosanna is considered a beautiful addition to this noble family (she belongs to the ordinary primroses that look like wild ones, and only this variety stands out in its native form).

Advantages of these colors:

• Maximum decorativeness. The bushes have beautiful leaves, making the plant look attractive even without flowers. The flowers themselves bloom thickly, in a bunch. The diameter of the cap is up to 15 cm, the diameter of the flower itself is up to 5 cm.
• The bushes bloom for a long time, 2-3 months (from April to June). Some plants may release petals again in September-October.
• Flowers can also grow indoors. They can be purposefully grown in a pot or transplanted there at the end of autumn from a flower bed. In the latter case, the plant will thank you with flowers that will bloom from February to March.

Flowers appear in the first year of the primrose's life. But this does not apply to every variety!

Do they have any disadvantages?

• This is not the case when a flower is planted and forgotten about. Terry primrose needs to be constantly watered and fed, otherwise forget about bright bouquets.
• In winter, this primrose can withstand a maximum of -25 degrees. For insurance, it is better to cover the flower bed with film. Better yet, transplant the primrose into a container in the fall and move it to a warmer place.
• Most varieties of such primroses are labeled as perennials. But in fact, many of them are biennials. In order for the plant to live longer, the bushes must be rejuvenated and often replanted.
• Terry primrose flowers do not produce seeds, even if there are many insects living in the flowerbed. Therefore, for propagation you need to either buy seeds in stores all the time, or use vegetative methods (say, dividing a bush).

The best varieties of these flowers

Primroses are popular flowers, but not every variety will take root in the conditions of our strip.

Here I want to talk about the most successful ones, and not just varieties, but variety series (in which flowers with the same name can have different petal colors).

All of them are hybrids, that is, they are labeled F1.

• Rosanna. Perennial, loves partial shade and nutritious, moist soil. May have white, yellow, orange, pink and red flowers. The bushes with white and yellow bouquets are considered the most resistant and “freeze-resistant”.
• Primlet. Stemless primrose, a hybrid native to America. Biennial - this bush needs to be updated all the time. Blooms in the year of planting.
• Paloma. And this flower can live in one place for up to 7 years. It blooms for up to 50 days, but only in the second year of life. Seeds can be planted as in early spring, and before winter. In our stores, Paloma seed packets offer mixes of different shades.
• Rosie. Early flowering variety. It is good to grow it both in a flower bed and on a balcony or windowsill.

Also considered successful varieties are auricles (eared) Crimson Glow, Suzanne, Max, Xaver, Jupp.

Seeds: purchase or collection

As mentioned above, purchase only! The disadvantage of hybrids is that they do not produce “offspring” in the form of seeds.

True, the purchase is also not all advantages. Of course, on the one hand, on the bag of each variety there is always a small “cheat sheet” with basic information - what this flower likes, when it needs to be sown.

On the other hand, despite the decent price (terry varieties are more expensive than regular ones), the number of seeds in the bags is very modest - only 5 pieces. So, in order to completely plant a flowerbed, you will have to buy at least 3-4 packages (after all, not every seed can germinate).

The subtleties of growing primroses from seeds

Some people sow seeds directly into the ground.

However, many gardeners (including myself) believe that it is better to get a little confused and use the seedling method. This way more plants will sprout.

To do this, the seeds of the variety you have chosen are purchased in February. And be patient: the seeds will take a long time to germinate, and the sprouts will germinate very slowly.

Stratification

1. Prepare a tray with a lid, fill it with peat mixed with vermiculite (or other light substrate). Moisten the soil slightly and scatter the seeds over its surface.
2. Cover the top of the soil with cling film, a bag or cover with a lid.
3. Place the tray in a cool place. It is important that the temperature in it does not fall below zero. A cold closed balcony, basement, refrigerator will suit you.
4. The seeds need to be kept in this place for 10 to 30 days. Your goal: imitation of the natural environment (so that the seeds “think” that they fell into the ground from the mother bush and overwintered).

You can see all the step-by-step work on sowing seeds for stratification in this video:

Germination of seeds

1. Move the container to a bright place. The room should be about 12-18 degrees, no more. For seeds, this is an imitation of spring.
2. Keep them in the light for up to a month. From time to time, look through the transparent lid to see if shoots have appeared. If you notice that there is a lot of condensation on the surface of the film/cover, quickly lift it up and wipe it clean.
3. When the seedlings hatch, start hardening them off. To do this, remove the lid for 5 minutes one day, 10 minutes the next... If the soil dries out, gently spray it. You can also water the soil, but do not flood it.
4. First, each sprout will grow 2 false leaves (cotyledons). Then the real ones will appear. As soon as you see that all the sprouts have 2 true leaves, you can pick (transfer) them into separate pots. It is most convenient to use disposable cups.

You will see what primrose seedlings look like and how picking occurs here:

These “guys” can be moved to the flowerbed when the weather is steadily warm outside.

By the way, if your variety does not bloom during the growing season (germination), a box or pots with seedlings can be kept in the house until the spring of next year. Until this time, the plant will become as strong as possible and will be ready for independent life in the open ground.

Plant care

• Primrose bushes should be planted in partial shade.
• Choose fertile, light soil. Before planting flowers, it is better to fertilize the flower bed. Many gardeners have noticed: the richer the soil in the flowerbed, the brighter the primrose flowers.
• Feeding. In the fall, the soil can be dug up with humus. If you have not done this, water the flowers with a solution in the spring organic fertilizer. The second feeding is carried out at the end of summer (it is this that stimulates the plant to re-bloom). Here you can already use the purchased one mineral fertilizer(for example, "Kemiru").
• Primrose will not survive drought, so be prepared to water it frequently. Terry primrose is watered most from May to June. From July to August, the faded plant enters a dormant period; it also needs moisture, but less. Well, from the end of August, if your bushes begin to become active again, resume frequent watering again.
• From time to time, transplant the bushes to other flower beds, and divide the largest ones. For most varieties, replanting every 3-4 years is suitable.
• When planting adult primroses, make sure that the leaves of the bushes touch each other (close). This will allow the flowerbed soil to better store moisture without drying out until the next watering.
• Most of our varieties overwinter well without shelter. True, if in the fall you cover the ground in which the primrose root is hidden with fallen leaves or nutritious soil, the plant will only be grateful to you.

Moisture combined with cold can kill a plant.

An experienced gardener will tell you more about why garden primroses die and how to save them in this video:

Conclusions…

• Terry primroses are not a separate type of flower. These are hybrid varieties of popular species. Terry can be stemless, auricular, multi-flowered and even ordinary primroses.
• The most popular varieties that can be successfully grown in our region: Rosanna, Rosie, Paloma, Primlet (all F1).
• Terry primroses are beautiful flowers, but they require constant attention from the grower. Plants need to be watered and fed all the time, often replanted and rejuvenated, and if you have cold winters, then prepare for wintering: cover or transplant to a place more protected from frost (you can even move them into the house).
• Home terry bushes do not produce seeds, so you need to buy seeds.
• Primrose seeds require pre-sowing stratification. Keep them in the refrigerator for 10-30 days. The start of this procedure is February.
• Germinate seeds at 12-18 degrees, in a bright place, for about a month.
• Picking is carried out when the seedlings grow 2 true leaves.

The first flowers welcome spring with us. For the most part, these are representatives of bulbous plants. They are tender, fragile and a little cold, just like the first spring months. Therefore, against the background of these flowers, the perennial primrose especially stands out, from which it breathes solar heat and the promise of a long-awaited summer.

Primrose or primrose (Primula) family Primroses are rhizomatous herbaceous low perennial plants that bloom mainly in spring, although there are some summer-flowering species. Whole wrinkled leaves have a slight edge; they form a basal rosette. Flowering stems do not have leaves. The flowers come in a surprisingly diverse range of colors, sometimes in two or even three colors. They are located singly on peduncles or form various inflorescences. After flowering, a capsule fruit with small dark brown seeds is formed. All species reproduce well by seed, and many by dividing the bush. You can find out more about caring for primroses.

This flower is distributed all over the world, therefore it has many species, more than four hundred. In almost every country it is shrouded in legends and myths and is considered medicinal and mystical. Primrose is called for its early flowering spring primroses, for the wavy pubescent leaves - “rams”, and also “keys”, since the inflorescence resembles a bunch of small keys.

In the spring, missing warmth and flowers, we greet bulbous primroses with special tenderness and joy. The largest of...

Classifications of primroses

Although primroses have been well studied and described by botanists, their enormous diversity makes classification quite difficult.

A single universal classification has not yet been created. Officially, the genus primrose is divided into 7 subgenera: Sphondylia, Auricullastrum, Primula, Auganthus, Carolinella, Aleuritia, Craibia.

These plants differ from each other in shape, size, color of flowers and leaves, type of inflorescences, flowering dates, that is, morphological characteristics. On this basis, 23 (sometimes 30 or 38) sections or groups were identified.

The English Royal Horticultural Society has compiled its own, easier-to-use classification, which divides primroses into 3 large groups.

For practical use, flower growers have divided them into groups based on the shape of the inflorescences and their location.

Let us briefly consider these classification options.

Classification according to morphological characteristics

As we have already indicated above, the classification of primroses according to external characteristics distinguishes 23-38 sections. Let's consider only those species that can be grown in our country (approximately in the middle zone).

1. Powdery primrose

Mealy primrose (Primula fariaosa, Aleuritia). Characteristic feature This group is the presence of a white or yellow coating on plants. Small flowers form umbrella inflorescences. These are moisture-loving plants that require little shelter for the winter and are short-lived. This section includes more than 80 species.

Powdery primrose
Primrose Hallera

Let's name just a few of them. This is a native of the Balkans, dense-leaved primrose (Primula frondosa), originally from the Alpine and Carpathian mountains, Haller's primrose (Primula halleri), mealy primrose (Primula fariaosa) grows on Far East, the north of the European part of Russia, the north of Mongolia and the mountains of Western Europe.

2. Primrose OREOPHLOMIS

Primrose pink

Primrose OREOPHLOMIS (Primula Oreophlomis) - this section includes low, early-flowering species. Distinctive features of this group are smooth leaves with a serrated edge and bright pink flowers with a small yellow eye.

The group most clearly represents the pink primrose (Primula rosea). Lover of wet soils from the Himalayas. Young leaves with serrated edges have a bronze tint, but gradually become light green. The peduncles are short and at first it seems that the flowers lie on the leaves, but gradually grow to 15 cm. Small (about 1 cm) pink flowers bloom in May.

On sale you can find the Rosea Grandiflora variety with large flowers.

3. Primrose auricula

Primrose auricula, or auriculastrum (Primula Auricula, Auriculastrum) - this section includes 21 species native to Europe. These are low-growing plants with dense leaves, the stems and flowers are covered with a white powdery coating. The color of the buds can be lilac, yellow, pink or purple, sometimes with a white eye.

Let's present several types.

Primula auricula or ear primula (Primula auricula) - grows in the mountain meadows of southern Europe. The leaves are dense, dark green, with barely noticeable teeth along the edge, and can reach 20 cm. Traditionally, the flowers are yellow (up to 3 cm), but the hybrids amaze with the variety of colors and their combinations; there are multi-flowered varieties, as well as with contrasting eyes. All this floral splendor is collected in an umbrella at the top of the stem (10-25 cm). Long flowering April-June. May have several peduncles. The leaves and flowers are richly “powdered”.

Terry ear primrose Сrimson Glow
Terry primrose Susannah
Terry ear primrose Jupp

This species has many varieties. In addition to the gorgeous flower, the orange-yellow variety Jupp has a delicate aroma. Reminiscent of small roses, terry primula aurica. Very beautiful with dense dark cherry flowers Сrimson Glow, soft pink with a light yellow base Susannah. An unusual Max variety, its flowers are black in the shade and take on a cherry hue in the sun.

Primrose pubescent Rubin

The pubescent primrose (Primula pubescens) is a section of large-flowered hybrids, in the selection of which the auricular, hairy (P. Villosa), sticky (P. Viscosa), and coarse-haired primroses (P. Hirsuta) took part. This group is divided into three subgroups: Belgian, English and terry auricles. They differ in the color of the eye and the presence of plaque.

Velvet ruby-cherry flower with a large yellow center in the Rubin variety, white-cream with a yellow eye in the White variety, light purple also with a yellow eye in the Violeta variety.

This section also includes small primroses (Primula minima), Delecluse (Primula clusiana), hairy primula (Primula villosa), Carniolian (Primula carniolica), stiff-haired (Primula hirsuta), edged (Primula marginata).

Primula hairy
Primrose Delescluze Primrose carniolian

4. Cortus primroses

Corthusoid primroses (Primula Corthusoides) - unite residents of Europe, Siberia, Japan, Korea, and China. These species do not have a powdery coating, they have funnel-shaped flowers and petiolate leaves. This section includes the following types.

Primula corthusoides is our West Siberian beauty. The leaves are oval-oblong with teeth along the edge, covered with long hairs, located on long petioles. The peduncle (from 10 to 40 cm) is also pubescent. At its top the flowers are collected in a multi-flowered umbrella. The pinkish-purple petals have a deep groove in the middle. Blooms at the end of May and blooms until the end of June.

Siebold's primrose (Primula sieboldii) is a native of Japan. It is distinguished by very decorative leaves, which, due to the special shape of the teeth along the edge, appear wavy. Multi-flowered umbrellas of various colors are located on peduncles 15-20 cm long. It blooms for a long time (almost 2 months) starting from the end of April. Thanks to its well-branched rhizomes, it grows quickly.

Primula Siebold Aoyagizome
Primrose Siebold Shibori Gasane

Of the original varieties, I would like to note the white variety with rare light green spots, the Aoyagizome variety, and the white variety Shibori Gasane with pink frequent streaks. The flowers of the Trade Winds variety series look like carved snowflakes.

This group also includes rock primrose (Primula saxatilis), rejected (Primula patens), polyneura (Primula polyneura).

5. Toothed primroses

Toothed primroses (Primula Denticulaia) - this section includes two species.

Primula capitata Salvana

Primrose capitata (Primula capitata) - this species is common in Tibet and India. The leaves are oblong with a blunt apex, wrinkled, collected in a basal rosette. On a peduncle (15-30 cm), a capitate inflorescence is formed from small velvet-purple flowers. The entire plant is “powdered” with a white coating. Blooms almost all summer. In our area it is used mainly as an annual plant.

Has decorative varieties such as Noverna Deep Blue, Salvana.

Primrose fine-toothed

Fine-toothed primrose (Primula denticulata) - differs from other species by its pretty ball-shaped inflorescences, consisting of small flowers of a traditional lilac color. The flower stalks grow constantly: at first they are only 2-3 cm, but gradually, by the middle of flowering they reach 20 cm, and at the end of the season even 30 cm. The whole plant is “powdered” with a yellowish coating. Serrated primrose begins to bloom in April and lasts for more than a month. Self-sows and overwinters well.

Primrose fine-toothed is represented by various decorative varieties. Dense balls of small flowers with tiny yellow eyes, deep pink in Deep Rose, lilac-blue in Cashmeriana, deep crimson in Rubra. Primrose "Alba" will delight you with small white clouds.

Has the primrose fine-toothed variety series. For example, Corolla, “Pon-pon” consist of different colors (white, purple, red).

6. Primrose Julia

Primrose Julia (Julia) - this section includes actually one species. Primrose Průgonica is often included in this group.

Primula Julia (Primula juliae) comes from Eastern Transcaucasia. This is a miniature plant (10 cm). The leaves are oval, with rounded teeth along the edge, located on long petioles. Lilac-violet flowers (up to 3 cm) are located one at a time at the top of the peduncle. They have a rather long flower tube (2 cm) and a deep groove in the middle of the petal. It blooms early in April and lasts for more than a month.

Primrose Julia Sneeuwwitje
Primrose Julia Riga-6

There are many varieties and hybrids of this species. Popular variety Sneeuwwitje with snow-white petals and a lemon eye. The pleasant lilac-blue color contrasts well with the yellow eye of the hybrid variety Blue Julianas. An old but very attractive variety, Riga-6, the warmth of spring is reflected in its rich pink petals and yellow-orange center.

Pruhonician primrose (Primula pruhoniciana) is a hybrid of Julia primrose (Primula juliae) and other species. For example, raspberry-violet with a bright yellow eye Wanda.

7. Primrose muscarioides

Primrose muscarioides is a section of plants native to Tibet and the Himalayas. They are most often grown as biennials. Their distinctive feature is their long, pointed inflorescences, which are uncharacteristic of primroses.

Vial primrose or orchid primrose (Primula vialii) - this species is quite difficult to take root in our climate, but it is worth a little effort. The leaves are long, lanceolate (up to 30 cm), with teeth along the edge and very weak pubescence. The peduncle is covered with a powdery coating and grows up to 20 cm (in our area up to 15 cm). The inflorescence, somewhat reminiscent of a small ear of corn, consists of many rich red buds, which, gradually blooming (from bottom to top), turn into soft lilac flowers with a pleasant light scent. Flowering continues from June to July.

This group also includes the muscarian primrose (Primula muscarioides). This summer-flowering species is very rare in our country.

8. Primrose

Primrose (Primula) - this section with a general name includes species of European and Asia Minor origin, which completely lack powdery coating. Plants of this group are very common in decorative floriculture.

Primula tall - plants native to central Europe and the Carpathian Mountains. The oval-oblong leaves look wrinkled due to depressed veins. Leaf blade (from 5 to 20 cm) with a serrated edge and sparse hairs. The peduncle is slightly pubescent (10-35 cm). Small yellow flowers with a dark center form a slightly drooping umbrella inflorescence. Flowering continues for about two months, starting in mid-April. Hybrids have larger flowers and incredibly varied colors.

Primrose tall Piano Rose Bicolor
Primrose high Victoriana Gold Lace Black

Now this species has many variety series. For example, “Piano” includes Piano Red, Blue, White, Yellow, Orange, Fire, and even the beautiful bicolor pink and yellow Piano Rose Bicolor. Thanks to its tall peduncles, the primrose "Erfurt giants" ("Big Ben") is even suitable for cutting.

Of the hybrids, I would like to note the so-called “lace” varieties - “Queen’s Lace”, Silver Lace Black, Victoriana Gold Lace Black. The rather dark petals of these varieties are framed by a thin whitish border, so the inflorescences appear delicate.

Polyantha primrose, or multi-flowered primrose (Primula poliantha) - this species is very similar to tall primrose (Primula elatior), only its flowers are much larger (about 5-6 cm), flowering occurs later (late May-June), there is a pleasant aroma. This species is much more tender and can freeze in winter, so a large number of such hybrids are grown as potted crops.

Primula polyanthus "Francesca"

The Blue Jeans variety is very popular; its white petals are densely filled with blue veins. The Faye variety series stands out for its striking combination of shades, and the SuperNova variety series stands out for its very early flowering. One of the most original hybrid varieties- “Francesca”, the owner of corrugated flowers of a lemon-green hue with a yellow eye.

Spring primrose (Primula veris) is exclusively European look, which in the old days was called forest primrose or medicinal, it is still used in medicinal purposes. The leaves are oval, wrinkled (with depressed veins), uneven teeth along the edge make them slightly wavy. The lower part of the leaf may be slightly pubescent. The bright yellow flower with an orange center has a long calyx. The flowers at the top of the slightly hairy peduncle form a one-sided umbrella. Blooms from April to June. Numerous varieties have a wide variety of colors and can also be double. Spring primrose - very unpretentious appearance However, it requires pollination by insects.

Spring primrose
Spring primrose

For example, golden sun splashes resemble yellow flowers Cabrillo Yellow variety, and the Spring Palette variety mixture will delight you with joyful colors.

Common or stemless primrose (Primula vulgaris/acaulis) - grows in the south of our country and Europe. The leaves are oval, elongated (5-25 cm), wrinkled. At the top of the low peduncles (6-20 cm) there are single flowers, most often yellow, sometimes white with a purple center. The petals resemble a heart divided into two halves. This species blooms actively, so the plants look very attractive. Primula acaulis has many hybrids that have amazing colors, but are less resistant to weather conditions.

Primula stemless Blue Zebra

Primula stemless "Potsdam giants" stands out among others with large flowers on a very small bush (15 cm). A terry primrose“Primlet” looks like bouquets of cute little roses in stunningly beautiful colors. The flowers of the terry variety series “Rosanna” are a little reminiscent of azaleas. The Blue Zebra variety has a very original color - a bright contrast of a golden-yellow eye with striped blue-white petals.

Primula acaulis is very often used for growing at home.

This section also includes large-cup primrose (Primula macrocalyx), lovely (Primula amoena), Pallas (Primula pallasii), Voronova (Primula woronowii), Komarov (Primula komarovii), Ruprecht (Primula ruprechtii), Abkhazian (Primula abchasica), Sibtorpa ( Primula Sibthorpii).

Primrose is lovely Primula macrocalyx
Primrose Sibthorpe
Primula Komarova

9. Primrose candelabra

Candelabra primroses (Proliferae, Candelabra) - this section contains residents of Japan, China, India and other countries in this region. These plants are very beautiful and are summer bloomers. They grow well in our climate, but require careful shelter for the winter. Most often they are used as biennials, but if you create for them comfortable conditions, then they can also be grown as perennials. They often give good self-seeding.

Primula Byssa Primrose Bullea

Primula Bulleyana (Primula bulleyana) is a native of China, its peduncle reaches 50 cm, and the leaf blade is 40 cm. The leaves are elongated, jagged along the edge. On a tall peduncle in several tiers (from 5 to 7) there are small orange-yellow flowers.

The Byss primrose (Primula beesiana) and the powdered primrose (Primula pulverulenta) are very similar, only they are slightly larger with crimson flowers, and the latter type has a powdery coating.

Japanese primrose (Primula japonica) - this beauty can be used for cutting. Its peduncle (30-50 cm) seems to be decorated with bright crimson bracelets. Flowering begins in May from the lower tiers and lasts about 2 months.

Japanese Primrose Apple Blossom
Japanese primrose Miller's Crimson

Japanese primrose is also used in indoor floriculture as a potted crop.

The delicate apple color is reminiscent of Apple Blossom, while Miller's Crimson has deep crimson flowers with a large cherry center.

Cockburn's primrose (Primula coekburniana) also belongs to this group, but is very rarely grown in our area.

As you can see, this is a rather complex classification and it is not always convenient for an amateur gardener to use it.

Classification of the English Royal Horticultural Society

This is a more simplified version of the classification.

Group-1. Ear-shaped primroses (auricula) and all kinds of their hybrids. This group is divided into 4 subgroups.

Primula aurica

Border (flower bed) varieties are the hardiest and most resistant varieties of this group. Thanks to the strong flower stalks, they can withstand bad weather well. Their compact habit makes it possible to create low flowering borders from them, and the wide palette of colors makes them popular in the design of flower beds. May have a slight powdery coating.

Alpine auricula are also well suited for outdoor cultivation. All of them are brightly colored. The middle and tube must be the same color. Flowers with a white center tend to have petals in the violet-blue range, while if the center is golden yellow, the petals may be in the reddish-brown range. May have a light border. This subgroup does not have a powdery coating on the flowers.

Terry primrose is stunningly beautiful, but it requires more attention and care. However, it does well in flower beds with proper care.

Exhibition varieties are hybrid, rather demanding and delicate varieties. For the most part, the flowers are covered with a powdery powdery coating, which makes them very original. However, bad weather (rain and wind) greatly damages this bloom (farina), so in Europe these show varieties are grown under cover or at home. In addition, some of them cannot winter in open ground.

Group-2. Primrose polyanthus. This group includes 2 subgroups.

Polyantha primroses. This includes all complex hybrids involving multiflorous and tall primroses.

Spring primroses, common primroses, Julias, as well as all sorts of them.

Group-3. Candelabra primroses. This group combines species with tiered inflorescences. These are Japanese, Byssa and Bulleya, as well as all their varieties.

Primula vulgare
Japanese primrose

This classification includes the most common species and varieties of primroses in decorative floriculture.

Classification by shape and arrangement of inflorescences

This is the simplest and most convenient classification for amateur gardeners, which allows you to choose varieties suitable for flower beds in terms of habit and shape.

Cushion-shaped. This group includes species with single flowers on low peduncles; they rise only slightly above the “cushion” of leaves. The most popular in decorative floriculture from this group are the common primrose, small primrose, Yulia, and Voronova.

Umbrella-shaped. In this group, the inflorescences form a one-sided or rounded umbrella on peduncles up to 20 cm. The most popular types of primrose are tall, polyanthus, auricular, spring, pink, rejected and all their hybrids.

Globular or capitate. The globular primrose forms a dense capitate inflorescence, which looks like a decorative ball on a stem that grows during flowering. This includes primrose fine-toothed, capitate and their varieties.

Candelabra or tiered. The inflorescences of this group are arranged in tiers on a tall, strong peduncle, reminiscent of ancient candelabra candlesticks. In our climate, Japanese primrose, Bullea, Byssus and powdered primrose are used.

Florinda's Primrose
Primrose sikkim

Campanulaceae. This group has a drooping inflorescence of bell-shaped yellow flowers at the top of a strong peduncle. The group is small, but planting these plants is possible along the banks of reservoirs and in poorly drained areas. These are Sikkim primrose (Primula sikkimensis) and Florinda primrose (Primula florindae).

The garden has been known to people since the era of the most ancient civilizations. However, most often these were open gardens. Winter Garden –…

Indoor primroses

We examined the garden primrose and its classifications. However, it should be noted that some species of this plant in our climate are grown as potted crops. Among them, the most common are Chinese primrose (Primula sinensis), Kyus primrose (Primula kewensis), malacoides primrose (Primula malacoides), obconical primrose (Primula obconica) and soft primrose (Primula malacoides).

Primrose obverse conical

For example, Chinese in open ground blooms in May-June, and at home - from December to March.

Perennial primrose is very diverse and beautiful. And the classifications we have considered will help you choose the variety that is suitable specifically for your garden. An educational video will complement the information.