Primula sikkimensis (Si)

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Sikkim cowslip

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Herbaceous Perennial
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A herbaceous perennial forming a rosette of bright green, oblong leaves, with erect stems bearing an umbel of nodding, fragrant, funnel-shaped yellow flowers in early summer

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full shade Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
North–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)
H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Primulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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
Horticultural Group

Horticultural Classification Codes

Horticultural Classification Codes are often given to genera which have a large number of species or cultivars. They are used to categorise cultivated plants based on specific, shared characteristics such as shape, colour, size or flowering time, and can be displayed as letters or numbers

For example:
Dahlia ‘Sunset Kate (Sin) = Single flower
Rosa ‘Marigold’ (HT) = Hybrid Tea

Sikkimensis section primulas are herbaceous perennials with long-stalked, oblong or oval leaves in a basal rosette, and erect stems bearing terminal umbels of nodding, fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers in summer
Plant Range
Himalayas to China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep, humus-rich, moist, neutral to acid loam or naturally peaty soil. Best in partial shade but tolerates shade; a sunny site must have a soil that remains moist at all times

Propagation

Propagate by division in autumn or early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, vine weevils and slugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free