Primula auricula hort. 'Monet' (Au/S)
auricula 'Monet'
An evergreen perennial, to 20cm tall, with spreading rosettes of mealy, grey-green leaves. In spring, short stems, held above the foliage, are topped with clusters of flowers in a mix of pale pink, pale green, and pale yellow, with pale yellow eyes
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, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Pink Yellow | Grey Silver Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Grey Silver Green | |||
| Autumn | Grey Silver Green | |||
| Winter | Grey Silver Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Primulaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- 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
Unresolved
- Horticultural Group
- Show Auricula group primulas have a distinct pure white circle in the centre of each flower. They can be single-coloured, edged with black feathering out to the margins, or fancy (edged with coloured feathering).
How to grow
Cultivation
Show auriculas are best grown in pots in an alpine house or cold frame, in a mix of equal parts peat-free, loam-based potting compost, leaf mould, peat-substitute and grit. Alternatively, grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in full sun or partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by division or by detaching offsets in autumn or early spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Flower borders and beds
- Garden edging
Pruning
No pruning required but deadhead after flowering, and remove dead or damaged leaves as necessary
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, slugs, leafhoppers and vine weevils
Diseases
May be susceptible to a virus, primula brown core and grey moulds
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.