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 | White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Primulaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
- Primrose group primulas are mainly grown as herbaceous perennials, and produce clusters of flowers on individual stems from the basal rosettes, although a few may also have umbel-like flowers. They are either spring-flowering, if grown without protection, or winter- to spring-flowering, if grown as biennial container plants in greenhouses or indoors.
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in partial shade or full sun but only if moist at all times. Good in open woodland or banks. See primula cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by division
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Garden edging
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Susceptible to leafhoppers, vine weevil, slugs and snails, caterpillars and aphids
Diseases
May be affected by primula brown core, grey mould, primula leaf spot and a virus
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.