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Alpine RockeryHerbaceous Perennial

Primula parryi (Pa)

A species of clump-forming, evergreen perennial with long, leathery pale green foliage, and fragrant, magenta red-purple flowers with a yellow eye which appear in early spring. The flowers have a distinctive and unpleasant fragrance

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or 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)

Botanical details

Family: Primulaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
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: Parryi primulas are herbaceous with long, dark green fleshy foliage and magenta-purple flowers with a yellow eye. The whole plant emits a foul aroma when disturbed which even lingers when the flowers are pressed and dried
Plant range: SW USA

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in partial shade in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in a coldframe in early spring. Grow on under glass for their first winter. Divide established plants annually in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Rock garden
Flower borders and beds
Garden edging

Pruning

No pruning required. Remove dead or damaged leaves after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds (botrytis)

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.