Primula japonica 'Alba' (Pf)
Japanese primrose 'Alba'
A deciduous, semi-evergreen perennial to 45cm tall, with a basal rosette of broad, crinkly, light green leaves, and erect stems bearing several whorls of white flowers with honey-yellow centres in late spring and early summer. Prefers moist or boggy areas so ideal for the edge of a stream or pond
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Poorly–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White Yellow | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Primulaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- 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
Accepted
- Horticultural Group
- Proliferae section primulas are moisture-loving herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennials forming a rosette of basal leaves, with erect stems each carrying several whorls of salver-shaped flowers
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in partial shade, in deep, humus-rich, moist, neutral to acid loam soil, or peaty soil. Tolerates full sun if soil remains moist at all times
Propagation
Propagate by division in autumn or after flowering
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, vine weevil, slugs, leaf and bud eelworms, leaf-mining flies and glasshouse red spider mite
Diseases
May be susceptible to primula leaf spot, primula brown core and grey moulds
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