Primulina dryas

RHS Plant Profile

oak-nymph-leaved primulina

RHS

Other common names

Chinese chirita

Synonyms

Chirita sinensis

Conservatory Greenhouse

Primulina dryas is a small, tender perennial forming a flattened rosette of thick, evergreen, elliptic leaves, sometimes with silvery veins. Small clusters of tubular white flowers 2.5cm long with purple lobes and yellow markings in summer and autumn

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0-0.1 metre
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Gesneriaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming
Genus: Primulina are perennial herbs with thin to wide leathery leaves and attractive flowers. Leaves vary in colour from dark, shiny green to variegated and spotted. Flowers are tubular in shades of pink, purple, yellow or white.
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, humus-rich, gritty soil in partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown under glass at a temperature of 19-24°C in late winter to spring. Plant out when danger of frost is over

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to stem rot in damp conditions