Primula prolifera (Pf)

RHS Plant Profile
candelabra primrose

Other common names

glory of the bog, glory of the marsh

Synonyms

Primula smithiana
Primula helodoxa
Primula ianthina
Primula prolifera var. ianthina
Primula prolifera helodoxa

Award of Garden Merit
Herbaceous Perennial Bogs

An evergreen perennial to 75cm, with a rosette of deep green spoon-shaped leaves and erect stems with several whorls of fragrant bright golden-yellow flowers 2.5cm in width

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H4

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
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
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
Plant Range
E Himalaya to Indonesia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep, fertile reliably moist soil in partial shade or sun

Propagation

Propagate by division in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

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

Diseases

Generally disease-free