Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Primulaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Primula are herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennials, forming a basal rosette of simple leaves, with salver-shaped or bell-shaped flowers which may be solitary or carried in an umbel or in whorls on an erect stem
- Name status
Accepted
- Horticultural Group
- Alpine Auricular group primulas have sharp contrast between the colour of the centres and the petals. They are classed as light-centred (white or pale in the centres) or gold-centred (yellow or gold in the centres).
How to grow
Cultivation
Alpine auriculas are best grown in pots in an alpine house or cold frame, in a mix of equal parts loam-based potting compost, leaf mould, peat or peat-substitute, and grit. Alternatively, they will grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in full sun or partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by division or by separating and rooting offsets, after flowering
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required but deadhead after flowering, and remove dead or damaged leaves as necessary
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, slugs, leafhoppers and vine weevils
Diseases
May be susceptible to a virus, primula brown core and grey moulds
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.