Primula vialii (So)
Vial's primrose
A rosette-forming perennial to 40cm tall, the spear-shaped, pale green leaves have inrolled margins, and in midsummer, erect stems with terminal conical spikes of light violet flowers 1cm in width, open from red buds, the unopened buds giving the flowering spike a red tip
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, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple Red | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Primulaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- 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
Correct
- Plant range
- SW China
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in deep moist or moist but well-drained neutral to acid, humus-rich soil in partial shade. Sun is tolerated if soil remains consistently moist. See primula cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by division in early spring or propagate by seed sown from autumn to spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Rock garden
- Flower borders and beds
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
Cut back after flowering
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, vine weevil, slugs, leaf and bud eelworms and glasshouse red spider mite
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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