Primula allionii (Au)

RHS Plant Profile
Allioni's primrose
Allioni's primrose RHS 1985

Synonyms

Primula glutinosa All.

Alpine Rockery Herbaceous Perennial

A small evergreen perennial forming rosettes of oblanceolate greyish-green leaves, with up to five white to pink flowers, usually white-eyed, 3cm across, borne in umbels on short erect scapes from late winter

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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
Auricula section primulas are evergreen perennials with leathery, often farinose foliage and simple umbels of salver-shaped flowers which are usually pink, purple or yellow
Plant Range
European Alps

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in pots in an alpine house or frame. Use an alpine compost based on loam with added lime. Avoid wetting the foliage

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in pots in an open frame as soon as ripe or in late winter to early spring. Propagate by detaching offsets in autumn or early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

Deadhead after flowering

Pests

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

Diseases

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