Juliana Primroses
Here you are among the happy-go-lucky primroses. Primula juliae hybrid primroses are confident of their ability to out-spread and out-flower anything twice their size in your garden. They are generally small-flowered, but make up in exuberance what they lack in size. They come into flower early, and if conditions suit them, they will provide a mound of flowers, with hardly a leaf visible, for a full three months.
Primula juliae was first identified in 1900, originating in the eastern Caucasus. This was an exciting discovery for plant breeders as they were a dark pink or magenta, unlike the other common forms of P. vulgaris and P. veris found in Europe which were yellow. Plants were sent to Kew and Oxford in 1911. Soon it was being crossed with other species and also with coloured forms of primula vulgaris. "Wanda" was an early result of this activity, and remains the best known of the group. Listed in commercial catalogues as "Wandas", "Julianas" or "Pruhonicians", they are all hybrids of Primula juliae.
Flowering time: Mid-winter – early spring
Height: 10-15 cm
Culture: Juliana primroses will multiply prodigiously, some types carpeting the ground as does P.juliae by creeping root-stocks, others form bushy rosettes, all are excellent for edging and rockeries or just allowed to run. Happiest in semi-shade, they will tolerate being in a drier/ sunnier position than other primroses.
For tips on growing Julianas see the section on Primroses and Polyanthus.
