Victorian Polyanthus
The Barnhaven Victorian Polyanthus strain was first introduced in 1948 by Florence Bellis. Developed from a seed strain called Suttons Blue, it was first sold as a mixture of 'Victorian Shades'. This is the entry from that early catalogue: 'The opulent shades of an elegant era - American Beauty, cerise, fuchsia, purple, some occasionally silver-edged'. They were then separated out into the strains that we still have today 'Violet, Mauve' Carnation, Striped, Muted and Old Rose Victorian'. Willie and Sylvia Sinclair in the UK added the Fuchsia and Valentine Strains.
Flowering period: Late winter - mid-spring
Height: 15-20cm.
Culture : These polyanthus primula are lovely grown together in complementary colours - can be used as formal bedding or in containers with euphorbias or grasses for a lovely display. Polyanthus primula need semi-shade. If growing in containers, place the pots in the sun in the spring and put it in the shade in the summer months. If growing in the garden, make sure they are not in full sun in the afternoon or grow them under deciduous trees.
For tips on growing Victorian Polyanthus see the section on Primroses.
