Flower catalogs tend to be, shall we say, generous in describing the size of flowers and the vigor and other attributes of the plants themselves... rather like some proud parents touting their seemingly fairly average offspring. However, when Ellen of Seneca Hills Perennials describes Primula sieboldii 'Seneca Star' as having large flowers (with white stars) and vigorous foliage, she's almost understating. This is either a primrose on steroids or a tetraploid. It's just big; the petal substance is very thick, and the foliage is very large and much darker green and heavy compared to my other sieboldii cultivars. I will say the foliage of this plant might even be a bit coarse, but that's a quibble. I suspect this plant is going to form a large clump very rapidly (it's already giving a nudge to the cute little Japanese maple its growing under). It should be fairly spectacular.

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Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2008-05-24, 06:55:58

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A

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Posted by sandy Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2008-03-23, 23:28:14

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What's the difference between a primrose and a polyanthus? They're both part of the primula family, but I'd always thought that primroses had one flower per stalk, while polyanthuses had long stalks with a cluster of flowers on top. And yet year after year, I've found that after a few weeks of producing compact, round heads of single blooms, some of the plants I'd thought to be primroses would suddenly schizophrenically shoot out a long stem with numerous flowers, breaking the symmetry of the plant. . ..

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Posted by Sue Swift Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2008-03-13, 00:03:00

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A strange sight from Cheltenham.The Spring flowering Primrose only opened its flower in July. I loved the White flower in the centre of the leaves. It was under the Apple tree and Lavatera bush by the left hand border.
Three more nights to go before I can garden, and blog lots more.My post night shift posts are short but sweet :)

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Posted by snappy Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2007-08-10, 18:45:31

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Nikon D80 Flower Shots

A couple of Sundays ago I borrowed my wife’s D80 and stopped by work to shoot a few pictures. It was a dreary day and the light wasn’t great but the camera did pretty well with the color. I usually use a D70s and I know what that camera is going do in a given situation so this was a little bit of adventure getting use to the color and auto focus system. This first picture is a small pocket of White Primula that is growing near one of the ponds. Out of several thousand Primrose there were only about 12 white ones and only in this area. . . .

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Posted by Digital Flower Pictures Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2007-06-24, 00:15:44

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A selection of some of my Japanese forms of Primula sieboldii

The Japanese are passionate about thier native woodland primrose, rarely grown in America, Primula sieboldii. Like many native Japanese plants, their culture in Japan continues to survive in the numerous clubs and enthusiast groups formed for those who collect, breed and exhibit these dainty and sturdy wildflowers. In America, they still are awaiting discovery, but for those who are informed, and who are trying these precious rarities, the rewards are easy and effortless, again, as with many rarer plants, the hardest part may be in fact, finding them to buy. Look for Primula sieboldii, but note, if you Google them, entering thier Japanese name of Sakurasoh, may get you more information. Sakura (cherry blossom), soh.....get it. ..

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Posted by Matt Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2007-06-01, 06:23:37

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The Sayan Mountains in Siberia extend for eight hundred miles between the Atay Mountains and Lake Baykal; they are largely roadless and uninhabited... a vast (175,000 sq. miles) area of wild mountains and deep, swift rivers. They are home to Primula cortusoides; a small primrose with lilac flowers. It stays in bloom longer than any other primrose we can grow; the whole month of May here in Iowa, and longer in cooler, wetter climates than ours. It's very hardy (zone 2-3 winter hardy), but doesn't tolerate dryness, and will be blasted by hot sunlight, so I have had to extend a little thought in siting it in our garden. It rewards the effort by forming patches, and seeding.

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Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2007-05-15, 18:29:39

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Posted by sandy Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2007-05-12, 06:38:29

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Two of the cutest little primroses that we grow are Primula yuparensis (top) and Primula rosea (bottom). The former is native to the mountains of Japan, the latter to the Himalayas, so needless to say they like cool, moist, but well drained spots... a short commodity in the broiling, often drought-parched summers of Iowa. I don't do much watering in the garden, relying on good soil, lots of mulch, shade from the trees, and the strong desire of plants to somehow survive. These two little gems are an exception; if ever they dry out, they are G-O-N-E. Fortunately each of the plants is small enough to fit under a teacup... and a teacup is just how much water they need.

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Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2007-05-04, 00:46:55

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So-called "birds-eye" primroses, tend to not be overly fond of our hot, muggy summers (a kind way of saying they melt). Sometimes, however, members of difficult plant groups that are endemic to the Caucusus, as opposed to a glacier-cooled moraine in the high Alps, do survive here... they are used to hot summers and cold winters. I therefore have some hope for Primula algida, which grows in alpine meadows in that rugged area. However, I've not made a permanent label for it just yet... it's still on guest visa.

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Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2007-04-29, 17:02:04

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Primula veris is the common, pale yellow cowslip of the English countryside; lovely in its own right. Being a so-called candleabra primrose, its flowers are held up above the foliage for easy viewing, and away from mud spattering caused by April gullywashers. A commercial strain of P. veris comprises the Sunset Shades; plants selected in the orange to red spectrum. The orange ones have to be placed carefully, as orange clashes mightily with the usual mauve-pink spectrum of many other spring bulbs. The red selections, as above, are a different matter; they blend in nicely, yet are bright enough to light up a little gloomy spot like this one in a ravine in front of a large, grey rock. There is an apricot selection of P. veris Sunset Shades that I have a hankering to add to the garden... I'd like to combine it with a blue or puple flowering bulb; perhaps a hyacinth of some sort.

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Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2007-04-09, 18:23:38

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Posted by snappy Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2007-04-01, 16:58:43

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The juliana primroses are all starting to open now; small to tiny plants with an amazing spectrum of flower colors (go to my post of 5/6/06 to learn what a juliana primrose is, then report back). I freely confess I am gaga over these cool little plants; most of them are wonderfully (and surprisingly) hardy here... I'll show more varieties as they bloom.

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Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2007-03-30, 16:43:22

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Posted by snappy Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2007-03-26, 18:35:29

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A primrose with red jewel like flowers with yellow centres.I wanted something to paint tomorrow.I like still lifes from live flowers and plants.

It says its a semi evergreen Perennial!!Most people throw them away.Maybe the council keeps theirs.

They use massed plantings of these with single coloured flowers.I saw beds of purple flowers, a deep blue flower, and also my fav white flowers held aloft from the leaves.I think a type of Candelabra primrose.

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Posted by snappy Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2007-03-23, 16:40:26

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That's what I sometimes call my sundrops aka evening primrose. I personally hate the name evening primrose, which the whole genus Oenothera has been saddled with because of the one or two species that actually open at night. My neighbours have Oenothera acaulis, which unfurls at dusk in a dramatic display that is over in less than a minute. Sundrops, on the other hand, close up at night, so evening primrose is the height of nonsense in the nomenclature department. Sundrops it is. . .

reBlogged to primrose on Jun 28, 2006, 12:13PM

Posted by Janet Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-06-28, 23:46:08

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Primula auricula

reBlogged to primrose on May 21, 2006, 5:47PM

Posted by Sandy Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-05-22, 11:19:00

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Here's a close-up of a plant I recently showed you and labeled as either Mexican or Evening  Primrose.   My excuse for not knowing (and Readers, do I really need one?) is its origin in my garden as a passalong from a neighbor.  But more will be revealed. . . .

reBlogged to primrose on May 21, 2006, 11:45AM

Posted by astilbe20912 Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-05-22, 11:18:28

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And coming a close second in the bloom sweepstakes this year was a Primula veris cultivar. I believe it is 'Perth Sunrise' but I'll have to wait until its sister blooms in another few days to make sure. These new hybrids are quite hardy and easy to grow. Give them protection from the hot sun, a decent woodland soil and the charm of an English spring can be yours. Remember to propagate them right after they finish blooming. This one gets a year off - I'll let it rest this year given that I've moved it 3 times in the last three years.

reBlogged to primrose on May 11, 2006, 1:16PM

Posted by Doug Green Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-05-13, 05:01:20

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Show Auricula's at the National Primrose Show

A fancy striped show auricula, with outstanding coloration
There have been no postings for the past four days, since I was busy with the National Primrose Show. . .

reBlogged to primrose on May 7, 2006, 11:32PM

Posted by Matt Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-05-09, 12:01:14

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Another pruhonica, closely resembling juliae.

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Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-05-04, 16:12:14

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Now this is a pruhonica; tiny foliage covered with flowers large for the plant.

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Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-05-04, 16:12:02

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Some might call this a juliana, but it is halfway between an acaulis and a polyanthus; its flowers are polyanthoid, but on very short stalks (this is the hybrid "Allure'). It therefore has veris or elatior in it.

reBlogged to primrose on May 3, 2006, 11:42PM

Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-05-04, 16:11:43

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This is a juliana; a small plant, but the original cross was probably recrossed to vulgaris (note the more vulgaris-like foliage).

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Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-05-04, 16:11:31

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This is a polyanthus, with a lot of elatior blood, as its yellow flowers all grow on one side of the stem, like elatior.

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Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-05-04, 16:11:21

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Drumstick Primula 2

I love these!

reBlogged to primrose on Apr 26, 2006, 12:11PM

Posted by Sandy Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-04-28, 22:46:38

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Primula sieboldii certainly has a lot of pluses for a gardener in the land of corn... not the least of which is its hardiness; by dint of having its foliage die back in the late, hot summer, it tolerates drought and heat better than its alpine brethren, and its foliage remains underground until moderately late in the spring, thus also avoiding winter, and then severe early spring freezes. Sieboldii's foliage therefore always looks very crisp and lettucy, offsetting its delicate flowers nicely. It's never quite been a WOW type of primrose for me, though: it doesn't form tight clumps, preferring to meander about loosely, and its pale pink-lavender flowers are sort of delicate and scattered. I may be changing my mind though; a couple of years ago I picked up a purple form of sieboldii...

These are great! I'll have to get some.

reBlogged to primrose on Apr 27, 2006, 1:00PM

Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-04-28, 22:36:38

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reBlogged to primrose on Apr 27, 2006, 12:47PM

Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-04-28, 22:36:08

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Pretty Primula

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-04-20, 09:32:18

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Primula marginata are primroses that you will not find at a garden center. They must by ordered from an alpine plant catalog, or grown from seed, but that is even more difficult. Actually, the plants themselves are just plain difficult to grow,at least for me, but are a nice challenge for someone who can give them the right conditions in which to grow them

Gorgeous!

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-04-19, 17:40:04

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Primula Butterball is a cuty.

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-04-17, 18:01:03

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Primula frondosa is the epitome of tiny.

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-04-17, 17:58:28

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The above gold centered form of a seedling which I started is not acceptable since it doesn't meet show standards for exhibition, since it is considered a "pin" and not a "thrum" refering to the stigma which sticks out far ( I know, those fussy Brit's again!), but of note, Primula auricula are already blooming in the rock garden, much earlier than last year, which is not surprising given the mild winter that we have had here in New England. As I said in an earlier posting, of all of the Primroses available, the auricual type are the most choice and rare. Just try to find one. . .

I learned the hard way to only plant them in the fall when temps are cool.

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-04-14, 16:58:42

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Primroses come in many shapes and forms, with hundreds of species with alpine primula that generally bloom at the first hint of snow-melt to the asiastics that bloom in high summer. The most choice of all primula, are these, the Primula auricula, or, more commonly refered to as Auriculas. . .

I love my primroses!

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-04-12, 17:37:24

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Drumstick primula

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-04-10, 09:59:30

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Got this lovely Primula pubescens 'Exhibition Blue' at Annie's Annuals and it's blooming for the first time for me. I love it. By the way, it's a perennial!

I love primroses!

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-04-07, 17:18:45

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Primula vulgaris ssp. sibthorpii, is the first primrose to fully open... in a matter of days, even in cold, dark weather, it just seems to race to get its flowers open, vying to be the first primrose to tempt the early bees. This is probably my single favorite primrose; it is bone-hardy, very early, and much more natural looking in a woodland garden, with its smaller, soft lilac flowers.

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-04-04, 17:37:23

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Another charming little Primula juliana, this one clothed in bright blue.

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-04-01, 20:36:40

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Primula "Cheri Fluck"; a diminutive Juliae hybrid, here tucked in next to a quartz boulder. 

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-03-30, 09:55:08

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Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-03-29, 20:37:56

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Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to primrose on 2006-03-29, 20:37:48

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