#Primula auricula care full#

Watch out for pests such as aphids, leafhoppers, vine weevil, slugs and glasshouse red spider mite.

Deadhead, and remove dead or damaged leaves as necessary.

A versatile primrose that can be used in beds and borders, in cottage gardens or in containers.

With so many different varieties labelling is key, and black labels with white or silver writing look good.

#Primula auricula care full#

Full sun is tolerated in higher elevation or cooler summer areas. Happy auriculas produce plantlets from the side of their tap roots, which should be detached and potted after flowering. A part shade lover, it is best grown in humus-rich, moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils.Hardy and easy to grow, it is perfect for the front of borders, rock gardens and containers. Introduced in 1895, this vigorous, heirloom primrose offsets prolifically. Both the flowers and the foliage have a slightly spicy fragrant scent. Borne on short stems, they are produced in mid to late spring. Once seedlings are large enough to handle which is when they have their first true leaves, transplant them into a seed tray spacing the seedlings 2.Primula auricula 'Argus' is an evergreen, perennial, alpine auricula forming a rosette of light green leaves with clusters of large, rich plum-red flowers adorned with a white center.Water really well, allowing it to flow through drainage holes and then leave until compost starts to dry out again, then re- water in the same way.Once seeds start to germinate cover them with a thin layer of vermiculite.Keep in the cold greenhouse or cold frame.Scatter the seed thinly onto moist multi-purpose compost in a seed tray.All offspring will be different to the parents. You can raise auriculas from seed, which can be satisfying and may result in some interesting colours. Every three or so years, lift and use the same technique as described for show auriculas of pulling the rosettes away from the parent and replanting individual plants or clumps. Equal parts loam-based compost, multipurpose compost and grit or perlite mix is perfect for this.īorder auriculas need dividing less often than the show types. You can detach offsets by teasing them away from the parent plant and repotting them individually into small pots that will comfortably contain the roots. The easiest way to increase your stock is to pot up offsets in early summer after flowering (baby plants around the main parent rosette).

You may find it useful to browse the website of the National Primula and Auricula Society Use our Find A Plant tool for stockists local to you. If you are looking to start collecting, specialist societies often have plant sales and exchange programmes for members.

Specialist growers offer the best ranges of auriculas, but border cultivars may be available from local garden centres in spring when they are flowering. Colours are often more subtle and the edges between the colours less defined.Īll types are available with double flowers. Border auriculas are perfectly happy growing outside all year, edging a border or in containers. They have no white dusting (farina) on the leaves or flowers, and the centre is one colour (such as yellow).ģ. Alpine auriculas often have less elaborate markings on the flowers than the show types, and are grown in the same way as border auriculas, so will stand up to weather. Their curious colourways and striking appearance can make them tantalising to grow, but they do require some dedication.Ģ. Overwinter them in an unheated greenhouse or cold frame as they cannot tolerate winter wet. The flowers and foliage often have a white eye made of a flour-like ‘farina’, which is washed off by rain unless protected. These are open shelves on which the pots are arranged in rows like audience members. Show auriculas have a long and fascinating history and are traditionally displayed in auricula theatres. Their growing requirements are different.ġ. These three types of auricula - show, alpine and border - are catorgorised by their flower forms. These are hardy in a cold winter throughout the UK - can withstand temperatures down to -15☌ (5☏), but do need shelter from rain and summer sun in an alpine house and are best grown in pots. Border auriculas, however, put up with the worst of winter weather. Malvern Autumn Show - 23–25 September 2022Īuriculas are perennials that include the show and alpine types with their almost artificially perfect flowers.RHS Garden Wisley Flower Show - 6–11 September 2022.RHS Garden Rosemoor Flower Show - 19–21 August 2022.RHS Garden Hyde Hall Flower Show - 3–7 August 2022.RHS Flower Show Tatton Park - 20–24 July 2022.RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival - 4–9 July 2022.

RHS Garden Harlow Carr Flower Show - 23–26 June 2022.Hardy and easy to grow, it is perfect for the front. RHS Botanical Art and Photography Show - 9–29 April 2022 Primula auricula 'Dale's Red' is an evergreen, perennial, border auricula forming a rosette of pale green leaves with clusters of slightly fragrant, deep velvety red flowers adorned with farina dusted centers.RHS Garden Wisley Spring and Orchid Show - 25–27 March 2022.