Primulas

This is a very unusual primula - its called Primula cortusa Matthioli but is a delight.

This is how it looked last month!

A closer view of the flowers

I love they way it looked coming up...another gorgeous one.

Wow Ann, what a fantastic plant! I'll take your word that it's a primula, it certainly doesn't look like one! Amazing photo of it emerging. Love it.

Hi Anne. I tried starting some of these from seed a couple of years ago. My understanding was that they were closely related to Primulas(cortisoides), and I bought the seed as just Cortusa matthioli. I was real happy to see the one survivor from the few seedlings that took, come back and get going this year. I think it will have it's first blossoms open in about a week. We had good snow cover, but they must be a fairly hardy species. I don't suppose I'll get seeds from just one plant. Wonder if they would cross with other Primulas?

Brenda

Yes I think it is a relative of the primula but I bought it as one. Good luck with yours Brenda!

hi galathophile- such a pretty plant- I had tried a few about 2 years ago, but I don't think I planted them in rich enough soil- or perhaps it's just too cold in the winter here for them-- but they vanished and left me the pot tags..... I adore primroses- I'll take your lead and post a few pictures... here's a basic pinkie-purple P. sieboldii

This message was edited May 17, 2006 6:45 AM

I really like these - yours looks a lovely well established plant.

here is a white P sieboldii- they are so easy to have here and there- gone underground the rest of the summer, but stronger than ever each spring

This message was edited May 17, 2006 9:33 PM

and here is "Dawn Ansell" who is unsuppressable, and very congested with double white flowers

Dawn Ansell is wonderful. I had this plant a few years ago but lost it. I love all white flowers.

thanks for your responses, G. I think of England as primrose heaven- Remember driving through narrow hedgerows when the wild cowslips were everywhere- seemed like a story book, and that the elves were surely nearby. New Englanders struggle with harsh winters, but there are still many primroses that prosper here, and yet they are not common in peoples gardens.

I have a great book on primulas - the genus is huge and so diverse. I got a few new ones at a couple of specialist nurseries I visited this week. I think this one is tangutica. Very unusual but alas not for sale.

And this one I also really liked - called handeliana

I do like the marginata types too - this one was for sale but I have a larger specimen. And the auriculas....! I'll post those in a different thread.

I wonder where you could get the tagutica? If not for sale there then where??? Gosh it is fabulous!!!

Isn't it! I'll have a look around. I know the owner of this nursery (Ron McBeath) has been all over the world collecting seeds and plants so that's how he's got such treasures.

When should we leave?

:) like your idea!

That tangutica has to be the most bizarre primula! (next to vialii)..its a brand new species to me. My primula frondosa is just starting

and my P. marginata 'Janet' is also open.

Todd - Frondosa is a little gem isn't it? I love those marginata too - Janet is very nice. The foliage itself is outstanding. This was one on display the other day at Edrom.

That foliage is wonderful...I would never have thought a Primula.

yes, more primulas to look at!- tangutica is wild- what is the book you were mentioning, Galanthophile ??

The book is just called Primula and is by John Richards published by Batsford first in 1993 although the version I have is updated. Alot of the illustrations are coloured drawings but there are some good photographs too and it lists just about every primula there is!. Ron McBeath who owns the nursery I visited at Lamberton contributed many of the photographs in the book.

I should have known it was Ron's nursery you visited..he is well known in rock garden circles throughout the world. A friend of mine has met him...he probably has one of the best alpine nurseries in the world!

I knew you would have known who Ron McBeath was Todd. Yes he is very well respected here and a very nice chap! There's to be a specialist bulb sale at the nursery in September so I'll be going back then!

You are lucky to be so near to the nursery! I bought some seed of P marginata, none germinated. Galanth, you are tempting us, I have seen Edrom's webite....and I thought I was getting strong..

Todd, that is funny, you have a P marginata with my name!

Sorry for putting temptation your way...

Here is a pot of Primula laurentiana taken today at the BG. I collected the seeds in 2004 at L'anse-aux-meadows, Newfoundland, the only authentic Viking settlement in the New World. This primrose is endemic to the Gulf of St. Lawrence area of Canada. Closelt related to P. farinosa. I sowed the seeds in May 2005 and they are blooming this year.

that's quick-almost like a weed! but I bet they need a little more special attention. looks like they like grit- I actually ordered these from evermay nursery- are they happiest in a pot?? they are rather charming!

A year to flower! Very impressive - a lovely plant.

But short-lived...I might get 3 years. I always keep some surplus seed as a back-up. The grit is only on the surface of the pot. They actually prefer sandy-peaty moist soil. Locally, they always grow next to the sea.