Asiatic Primula

Since the 19th century, thanks to the exploits of many an intrepid explorer, there has been a huge influx of Primula species into our garden from the mountainous regions of Asia and new species are still being discovered. Our collection includes the species that are most easy to grow in our gardens and most of them make breath-taking displays. They also extend the flowering season extensively as they generally flower later than our European native primroses.

Subcategories

  • Candelabra Primulas

    These stunning candelabra Primula from the high mountain meadows grow up to 1 metre tall with whorls of flowers up the stems. They are also known as bog garden primulas. Very hardy and long lived as long as they don’t dry out. They will self-seed profusely but be aware that most of the primulas in this group will hybridize so if you want to keep their offspring the same colour you will have to grow them in different parts of the garden.

    Flowering period: Late spring - summer

    Height: 30cm -1m

    Culture: They will be happiest in bog garden conditions, pond edges or stream banks. They will also grow well in damp shady borders or woodland. Plant them in bold groups or drifts for the best effect or in combination with foliage plants such as ferns, irises and hostas. They will put on a wonderful display in late spring.

  • Belled Primula

    Belled primulas take their name from the bell-shaped flowers. Originating from alpine slopes of the Himalayan mountains such as Bhutan and Tibet, they will do well in garden situations if grown in the right conditions as they need plenty of water during the growing season. When they are happy they will self-seed abundantly, form quite large clumps and are often heavily perfumed. 

    Flowering period: Late spring - summer

    Height: 30cm -1m

    Culture: Can be grown in similar conditions to candelabra Primula. They will be happiest in bog garden conditions, pond edges or stream banks. They will also grow well in damp shady borders or in woodland settings. . They look wonderful en masse but a clump of four or six plants will be quite effective in a small area. 

    For more information on Growing Candelabra Primula please consult our Culture pages.

  • Primula sieboldii

    Primula sieboldii is a native of eastern Siberia, Manchuria, Korea and Japan where it grows in light woodland and damp free-draining meadows. It has become known as the ‘Japanese Primrose’ probably because of its popularity there, where it has been bred and cultivated as a garden flower for many centuries. The Japanese call it Sakurasoh - the cherry blossom herb-because the flowers resemble cherry blossom and appear just as the blossom is falling. 

    It has quite a different growing habit to the European primrose. Its creeping rootstock rapidly builds the plant into large clumps. The leaves are pale green, wrinkled and covered in short hairs and also deciduous, going dormant in the heat of summer and over winter to remerge quite late in the spring. 

    Flowers may be smooth and round as a penny, or fringed like extravagant lace, or of the most exquisite snowflake patterns. Most are in pastel shades of pink, white and pale blue. 

    Flowering period : Early spring – early summer.

    Height: 10 -20cm

    Culture: Best grown in the shade or dappled shade. They are often cultivated in pots where they will thrive but will need dividing every couple of years. However, they are hardy garden plants and can be grown beautifully under azaleas or rhododendrons in the garden as they appreciate the acidic soil. Will look stunning with other shade loving plants such as hostas, disporum, trillium…

    For more information on growing Japanese primroses, please consult our section on Primula sieboldii

  • Other Asiatic species

    Since the 19th century, thanks to the exploits of many an intrepid explorer, there has been a huge influx of Primula species into our gardens from the mountainous regions of Asia and new species are still being discovered. Our collection includes some of the species that are the easiest to grow in our gardens and most of them make breath-taking displays. 

    Flowering period: Asiatic Primula extend the flowering season extensively as they generally flower later than our native primroses with the majority flowering from late spring to early summer. There are exceptions though as some species such as P. rosea will flower very early and some twice a year such as P. capitata, which will flower in spring and also in early autumn.

    Culture: growing Asiatic Primula species in our gardens ranges from very easy to being quite tricky. Please consult the individual plant descriptions for the right conditions. As a general rule they will not do well in pots so ideally it is best to find the correct conditions for them in the garden. 

  • Asiatic Primula Plant...

    Each collection of Asiatic Primula plants contains a selection of 6 plants. These are mature plants with established rooting systems ready to be planted. 

    Please note while this is a cheaper way of buying of plants in larger quantities, the choice of plants will be left up to us. We will choose the best looking plants at the time of ordering, while ensuring that you get a range of different plants and colours. The photos are only to give you an idea of what you are ordering but you will not receive the exact plants in the pictures.

    Culture: Each collection will be sent with complete growing instructions and a guide on what to do with your plants when you receive them. Please consult each individual product description for the best conditions for the collection. 

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