Primula chionantha (Cy)
snow-white primrose
A clump-forming, deciduous perennial to 60cm high, with rosettes of mid-green leaves up to 25cm long, dusted with white meal. In late spring to early summer, flowering stems bear one to four clusters of small, pendent, scented flowers that are creamy white, white with purple eyes, or lilac purple
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White Purple | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White Purple | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical 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
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in partial shade in deep, humus-rich, moist, neutral to acid soil. Will tolerate sun if soil is kept moist
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe, or divide established clumps in early spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Rock garden
- Low Maintenance
- Banks and slopes
- Ground cover
Pruning
Cut back flower stems when flowers have faded
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, red spider mites, leafhoppers, slugs and vine weevil
Diseases
May be susceptible to primula brown core, grey moulds and virus diseases
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