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Herbaceous Perennial

Primula 'Rhubarb and Custard' (Pr/Poly)

primrose 'Rhubarb and Custard'

A rosette-forming semi-evergreen perennial with green leaves and clusters of orange-yellow flowers with pink frilly edges which appear in the from January to April

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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
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Orange Yellow Pink Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter Orange Yellow Pink Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Primulaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Bushy
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
Polyanthus group primulas are rosette-forming perennials with umbels of salver-shaped flowers. They are usually grown as biennials by sowing seed in summer and planting out in autumn for flowers in winter and spring.

How to grow

Cultivation

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

Propagation

Propagate by division 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
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, leafhoppers, vine weevil and slugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds, primula brown core, primula leaf spot and a virus

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