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Alpine RockeryHerbaceous Perennial

Primula reidii var. williamsii (So)

A robust, rosette-forming, deciduous perennial with scalloped or lobed leaves up to 20cm long. In summer produces compact clusters of hanging, bell-shaped, pale blue and white, fragrant flowers on 15cm stems

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full shade
Partial shade

Aspect

North–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Primulaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: 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
Horticultural Group: Soldanelloides primulas form creeping mats of green, deeply pinnate, oval-shaped leaves, with solitary, nodding, funnel-shaped white flowers

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep or partial shade in naturally peaty, gritty, moist but very well-drained soil, protected from excessive winter wet, or grow in an alpine house or cold frame in a mix of equal parts peat-free, loam-based potting compost, leaf mould, peat substitute and grit

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or by seed sown from autumn to 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, leafhoppers, slugs and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

May be susceptible to, grey moulds and primula leaf spot

Get involved

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