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Herbaceous PerennialBogs

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

Other common names
orchid primrose
red-hot poker primrose
Synonyms
Primula littoniana
Primula viali
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Red Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical 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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