Primula

RHS Genus Guide

Whether you need to fill containers, plant up a streamside, wildflower area or border, primulas dazzle with dolly mixture shades from spring through to late summer. They are all hardy perennials, with a few needing specialist growing conditions, but most are robust and many are scented.

Botanical name: Primula

RHS / Lee Beel

RHS Recommended

Primula

Siebold primrose

Primula sieboldii (Co)

Siebold primrose

Height: 0.1–0.5 metres
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

drumstick primula

Primula denticulata (De)

drumstick primula

Height: 0.1–0.5 metres
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

Bee's primrose

Primula beesiana (Pf)

Bee's primrose

Height: 0.1–0.5 metres
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

Tibetan cowslip

Primula florindae (Si)

Tibetan cowslip

Height: 1–1.5 metres
Width: 0.5–1 metres

silver-edged primrose

Primula marginata (Au)

silver-edged primrose

Height: 0.1–0.5 metres
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

Sibthorp primrose

Primula vulgaris subsp. sibthorpii (Pr/Prim)

Sibthorp primrose

Height: 0.1–0.5 metres
Width: 0–0.1 metre

primrose 'Wanda'

Primula 'Wanda' (Pr/Prim)

primrose 'Wanda'

Height: Up to 10cm
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

Vial's primrose

Primula vialii (So)

Vial's primrose

Height: 0.1–0.5 metres
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

polyanthus 'Guinevere'

Primula 'Guinevere' (Pr/Poly)

polyanthus 'Guinevere'

Height: Up to 10cm
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

candelabra primula Harlow Car hybrids

Primula Harlow Car hybrids (Pf)

candelabra primula Harlow Car hybrids

Height: 0.5–1 metres
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

mealy primrose

Primula pulverulenta (Pf)

mealy primrose

Height: 0.5–1 metres
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

Japanese primrose 'Miller's Crimson'

Primula japonica 'Miller's Crimson' (Pf)

Japanese primrose 'Miller's Crimson'

Height: 0.1–0.5 metres
Width: 0.1–0.5 metres

Award of Garden Merit

Plants for pollinators

See all Primula