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 reemerge 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

Subcategories

  • Primula sieboldii - Barnhaven strains
    Primula sieboldii -...

    Barnhaven have been growing Primula sieboldii since the 1950’s and have developed their own garden worthy hardy strains of Japanese Primroses through years of selection and hand pollination. 

    Primula sieboldii were some of Jared and Sylvia Sinclair's favourites ( Barnhaven owners in the UK) and most of the plants you see today are the result of the years of hard work they put into the breeding programme. They prided themselves in developing strains whose flowers had better petal texture and substance with shorter, stronger stems than the Japanese counterparts. They focused on obtaining vigorous plants that would perform as well in the garden as they would in pots (which is how they were usually grown). In their 1976 catalogue they listed 36 different plant hybrids for sale. For more information have a look at this wonderful extract of Barnhaven's 1976 catalogue. 

    They used to be Willie Sinclair’s favourites and as he used to say ‘They are sheer magic. Carpet the earth with them.’

    Please note: these plants are choice plants selected from our seed strains and there will be some variation in the plants you receive.

    Flowering period: Mid-spring – early summer.

    Height: 10 -15cm

    Culture: Best grown in the shade or semi-shade. They are often cultivated in pots but will need dividing every couple of years. However, they are hardy garden plants and will appreciate an organic rich soil that does not get water logged in the winter. They can be grown beautifully under azaleas or rhododendron’s in the garden as they favour a slightly acidic soil. 

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

  • Primula sieboldii - Named cultivars
    Primula sieboldii -...

    In the garden world of Japan, Sakurasoh (Primula sieboldii) are considered as one of the traditional garden plants that has a fascinating history and a similar development only comparable to that of the Show auricula in Great Britain.

    Its development dates back to the Edo era which lasted from the beginning of the 17th century to the mid 19th century when gardening culture was at its height. Quite exclusive gardening societies called ‘Ren’ were formed and flower contests were held for the new introductions with very rigid rules, which are still followed today. Traditionally Japanese sieboldii are shown in hand-thrown glazed ceramic pots which are arranged on bamboo structures forming a theatre or 'Kadan'.

    Here you will find a choice selection of rare and much sought after Japanese cultivars. 

    Flowering period: Early-spring – late spring.

    Height: 15 -20cm

    Culture: Best grown in the shade or semi-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 as long as they are given a shady, moist but well-drained spot where they can romp away. 

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

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