Primrose with large flowers. Primula: planting and care in the open field

Together with us, the first flowers meet spring. For the most part, these are representatives of the bulbous. They are tender, fragile and a little cold, like the first spring months. Therefore, against the background of these flowers, the perennial primrose stands out, from which it breathes with the warmth of the sun and the promise of a long-awaited summer.

Primrose or primrose (Primula) of the Primrose family are rhizomatous herbaceous low perennial plants that bloom mainly in spring, although there are some summer-flowering species. Whole wrinkled leaves have a slight edge, they form a basal rosette. Flowering stems do not have leaves. Flowers come in a surprisingly varied color, there are two and even three-colored. They are located on peduncles singly or form various inflorescences. After flowering, a fruit box is formed with small dark brown seeds. All species reproduce well by seed, and many by dividing the bush. You can learn more about caring for primroses.

This flower is distributed throughout the world, therefore, accordingly, it has a lot of species, more than four hundred. In almost every country, it is covered with legends and myths, it is considered medicinal and mystical. For early flowering, primroses are called spring primroses, for wavy pubescent leaves - "rams", and also - "keys", since the inflorescence resembles a bunch of small keys.

In the spring, having missed warmth and flowers, we meet bulbous primroses with special tenderness and joy. The largest of…

Primrose classifications

Although primroses are well studied and described by botanists, their huge variety makes classification quite difficult.

A unified universal classification has not yet been created. Officially, the primrose genus is divided into 7 subgenera: Sphondylia, Auriculastrum, Primula, Auganthus, Carolinella, Aleuritia, Craibia.

These plants differ from each other in shape, size, color of flowers and leaves, type of inflorescences, flowering time, that is, morphological features. On this basis, 23 (sometimes 30 or 38) sections or groups were identified.

The English Royal Horticultural Society has compiled its own, easier-to-use classification, which divides primroses into 3 large groups.

Florists for practical use divided into groups according to the shape of the inflorescences and their location.

Let us briefly consider these variants of classifications.

Classification according to morphological features

As we have already indicated above, the classification of primroses according to external features distinguishes 23-38 sections. Consider only those species that can be grown on the territory of our country (approximately in the middle lane).

1. Mealy primroses

Mealy primroses (Primula Fariaosa, Aleuritia). A characteristic feature of this group is the presence of white or yellow plaque on the plants. Small flowers form umbrella inflorescences. These are moisture-loving plants that require little shelter for the winter, are short-lived. This section includes more than 80 species.

Primula mealy
Primula Gallera

We will name just a few of them. This is a native of the Balkans thick-leaved primrose (Рrimula frondosa), originally from the Alpine and Carpathian mountains, Haller's primrose (Рrimula halleri), mealy primrose (Primula fariaosa) grows in the Far East, the north of the European part of Russia, the north of Mongolia and in the mountains of Western Europe.

2. Primrose OREOPHLOMIS

Primrose pink

Primroses OREOPHLOMIS (Primula Oreophlomis) - this section includes low early flowering species. Distinctive features of this group are smooth leaves with a serrated edge and bright pink flowers with a small yellow eye.

The pink primrose (Primula rosea) most clearly represents the group. A lover of wet soils from the Himalayas. Young leaves with teeth on the edge have a bronze tint, but gradually become light green. Peduncles are short and at first it seems that the flowers lie on the leaves, but gradually grow up to 15 cm. Small (about 1 cm) pink flowers bloom in May.

On sale you can find a variety of Rosea Grandiflora with large flowers.

3. Primrose auricles

Auricula primroses, or auriculastrum (Primula Auricula, Auriculastrum) - this section includes 21 species native to Europe. These are low-growing plants with dense leaves, stems and flowers are covered with a white powdery coating. The color of the buds can be lilac, yellow, pink or purple, sometimes with a white eye.

Let's take a look at several types.

Auricula or ear primrose (Rrimula auricula) - grows in the mountain meadows of southern Europe. The leaves are dense, dark green, with barely visible teeth along the edge, can reach 20 cm. Traditionally, the flowers are yellow (up to 3 cm), but hybrids amaze with a variety of colors and their combination, there are multi-flowered varieties, as well as with contrasting eyes. All this flower splendor is collected in an umbrella at the top of the stem (10-25 cm). Flowering is long April-June. It may have several flower stalks. Leaves and flowers are abundantly "powdered".

Primula ear terry Crimson Glow
Primrose ear terry Susannah
Primula ear terry Jupp

This species has many varieties. In addition to the chic flower, the orange-yellow variety Jupp has a delicate aroma. Reminiscent of small roses primrose ear terry. Very beautiful with dense double dark cherry flowers Crimson Glow, pale pink with a light yellow base Susannah. An unusual Max variety, its flowers are black in the shade, becoming cherry in the sun.

Primrose pubescent Rubin

Primula pubescent (Рrimula pubescens) is a section of large-flowered hybrids, in the selection of which primroses were eared, hairy (P. Villosa), sticky (P. Viscosa), hard-haired (P. Hirsuta). This group is divided into three subgroups: Belgian, English and terry auricles. They differ in the color of the eye and the presence of plaque.

Velvet ruby-cherry flower with a large yellow center in the Rubin variety, white-cream with a yellow eye in the White variety, light purple also with a yellow eye in the Violeta variety.

This section also includes small primrose (Рrimula minima), Delekluza (Рrimula clusiana), hairy (Рrimula villosa), carniolian (Рrimula carniolica), rough-haired (Рrimula hirsuta), fringed (Рrimula marginata).

primrose hairy
Primula delecluse
Primula carniolia

4. Cortusiform primroses

Primrose cortusoides (Primula Corthusoides) - unite the inhabitants of Europe, Siberia, Japan, Korea, China. These species do not have a powdery coating, they have funnel-shaped flowers and petiolate leaves. This section includes the following types.

Primula cortusoides (Primula сorthusoides) is our West Siberian beauty. The leaves are oval-oblong with teeth along the edge, covered with long hairs, located on long petioles. Peduncle (from 10 to 40 cm) is also pubescent. At its top, the flowers are collected in a multi-flowered umbrella. Pinkish-purple petals have a deep groove in the middle. Blooms in late May and blooms until the end of June.

Primula Siebold (Рrimula sieboldii) is a native of Japan. It is distinguished by very decorative leaves, which, due to the special shape of the teeth along the edge, seem to be wavy. Multi-flowered umbrellas of various colors are located on peduncles 15-20 cm long. It blooms for a long time (almost 2 months) starting from the end of April. Thanks to well-branched rhizomes, it grows quickly.

Primula Siebold Aoyagizome
Primula Siebold Shibori Gasane

Of the original varieties, I would like to note the Aoyagizome variety, white with rare light green spots, the Shibori Gasane variety, white with frequent pink strokes. Flowers of the Trade Winds variety series look like carved snowflakes.

This group also includes - rock primrose (Рrimula saxatilis), rejected (Рrimula patens), multi-nervous (Рrimula polyneura).

5. Dental primroses

Toothed primroses (Primula Denticulaia) - this section includes two species.

Primrose Capitate Salvana

Primrose capitate (Рrimula capitata) - this species is common in Tibet and India. The leaves are oblong with a blunt top, wrinkled, collected in a basal rosette. On a peduncle (15-30 cm), a capitate inflorescence is formed from small velvety purple flowers. The whole plant is "powdered" with a white bloom. Blooms almost all summer. In our area it is used mainly as an annual plant.

It has decorative varieties such as Noverna Deep Blue, Salvana.

Primula finely toothed

Primula finely toothed (Rrimula denticulata) - differs from other species in pretty inflorescences-balls, consisting of small flowers of traditional lilac scale. Peduncles grow constantly: at first they are only 2-3 cm, but gradually, by the middle of flowering they already reach 20 cm, and at the end of the season even 30 cm. The whole plant is “powdered” with a yellowish coating. Primula dentate begins flowering in April, it lasts more than a month. Gives self-seeding and winters well.

Primula finely toothed is represented by various decorative varieties. Dense balls of small flowers with tiny yellow eyes are deep pink in Deep Rose, lilac blue in Cashmeriana, deep crimson in Rubra. Primula "Alba" will delight with white small clouds.

Has a primrose fine-toothed variety series. For example, Corolla, "Pon-pon" consist of different colors (white, purple, red).

6. Yulia primroses

Primrose Julia (Julia) - this section includes actually one species. Often this group also includes primrose prugonitskaya.

Primula Julia (Rrimula juliae) comes from Eastern Transcaucasia. This is a miniature plant (10 cm). The leaves are oval, with rounded teeth along the edge, located on long petioles. Lilac-purple flowers (up to 3 cm) are located one at a time at the top of the peduncle. They have a rather long flower tube (2 cm) and a deep groove in the middle of the petal. Blooms early in April and blooms for more than a month.

Primula Julia Sneeuwwitje
Primula Julia Riga-6

There are many varieties and hybrids of this species. A popular Sneeuwwitje variety with snow-white petals and a lemon eye. The pleasant lilac-blue color contrasts well with the yellow eye of the Blue Julianas hybrid. An old but very attractive Riga-6 variety, the warmth of spring is reflected in its rich pink petals and yellow-orange center.

Prugonitskaya primrose (Рrimula pruhoniciana) are hybrids of Yulia primrose (Рrimula juliae) and other species. For example, raspberry-purple with a bright yellow eye Wanda.

7. Primrose muscarioides

Primrose muscarioides is a section of plants native to Tibet and the Himalayas. Most often grown as biennials. Their distinctive feature is long pointed inflorescences, uncharacteristic for primroses.

Primula vial or orchid primrose (Rrimula vialii) - this species is quite difficult to take root in our climate, but it is worth it to make a little effort. The leaves are long lanceolate (up to 30 cm), with teeth along the edge and a very weak edge. The peduncle is covered with powdery coating, grows up to 20 cm (in our area up to 15 cm). The inflorescence, somewhat reminiscent of a small corncob, consists of many rich red buds, which, gradually blooming (from bottom to top), turn into pale lilac flowers with a pleasant light smell. Flowering continues from June to July.

This group also includes primrose muscariform (Рrimula muscarioides). This summer-flowering species is very rare in our country.

8. Primrose

Primula (Primula) - this section with a common name includes species of European and Asia Minor origin, which completely lack powdery coating. Plants of this group are very common in decorative floriculture.

Primula high - plants come from central Europe and the Carpathian mountains. Oval-oblong leaves look wrinkled due to depressed veins. Leaf plate (from 5 to 20 cm) with a serrated edge and sparse hairs. Peduncle slightly pubescent (10-35 cm). Small yellow flowers with a dark center form a slightly drooping umbrella inflorescence. Flowering lasts about two months starting in mid-April. Hybrids have larger flowers and incredibly varied colors.

Primula high Piano Rose Bicolor
Primula high Victoriana Gold Lace Black

Now this species has many varieties. For example, "Piano" includes Piano Red, Blue, White, Yellow, Orange, Fire, and even the most beautiful Piano Rose Bicolor. Thanks to the high peduncles, the primrose "Erfurt Giants" ("Big Ben") is suitable even for cutting.

Of the hybrids, I would like to note the so-called "lace" varieties - "Queen's Lace", Silver Lace Black, Victoriana Gold Lace Black. The rather dark petals of these varieties are framed by a thin whitish border, so the inflorescences seem openwork.

Polyanthic primrose, or multi-flowered primrose (Рrimula poliantha) - this species is very similar to the high primrose (Рrimula elatior), only its flowers are much larger (about 5-6 cm), flowering occurs later (end of May-June), there is a pleasant aroma. This species is much more tender and can freeze in winter, so a large number of such hybrids are grown as pot crops.

Primrose polyanthus "Francesca"

The Blue Jeans variety is very popular, its white petals are densely filled with blue veins. The Faye variety stands out for its striking combination of shades, while the SuperNova variety stands out for its very early flowering. One of the most original hybrid varieties is "Francesca", the owner of corrugated lemon-green flowers with a yellow eye.

Spring primrose (Rrimula veris) is an exclusively European species, which in the old days was called forest or medicinal primrose, it is still used for medicinal purposes. The leaves are oval, wrinkled (with depressed veins), uneven teeth along the edge make them slightly wavy. The underside of the leaf may be slightly hairy. A bright yellow flower with an orange center has a long calyx. Flowers at the top of a slightly hairy peduncle form a one-sided umbrella. Blooms from April to June. Numerous varieties have a wide variety of colors, and can be terry. Spring primrose is a very unpretentious species, however, it needs pollination by insects.

spring primrose
spring primrose

For example, golden sun splashes are reminiscent of the yellow flowers of Cabrillo Yellow, and the Spring Palette mix will delight you with joyful colors.

Primula ordinary or stemless (Рrimula vulgaris / acaulis) - grows in the south of our country and Europe. The leaves are oval, elongated (5-25 cm), wrinkled. At the top of low peduncles (6-20 cm) are single flowers, most often yellow, sometimes white with a purple center. Petals resemble a heart, divided into two halves. Flowering in this species is active, so the plants look very attractive. Primula acaulis has many hybrids that have amazing colors but are less weather resistant.

Primrose stemless Blue Zebra

Primrose stemless "Potsdam Giants" stands out among others with large flowers on a very small bush (15 cm). And the terry primrose "Primlet" looks like bunches of cute little roses of stunningly beautiful colors. The flowers of the Rosanna terry series are a bit reminiscent of azalea. A very original color in the Blue Zebra variety is a bright contrast of a golden yellow eye with striped blue-white petals.

Primula akaulis is very often used for growing at home.

This section also includes large-calyx primrose (Primula macrocalyx), lovely (Rrimula amoena), Pallas (Rrimula pallasii), Voronov (Rrimula woronowii), Komarov (Rrimula komarovii), Ruprecht (Primula ruprechtii), Abkhazian (Rrimula abchasica), Sibtorp ( Primula Sibthorpii).

Primula lovely
Primrose large-calyx

Primula Sibthorpa
Primula Komarova

9. Candelabra primroses

Candelabra primroses (Proliferae, Candelabra) - this section contains residents of Japan, China, India and other countries of this region. These plants are very beautiful, they are summer flowering. They grow well in our climate, but require careful shelter for the winter. Most often they are used as biennials, but if you create comfortable conditions for them, you can also grow them as perennials. Often give a good self-seeding.

Primula Bissa
Primula Bullea

Primula bulleyana (Primula bulleyana) is a native of China, its peduncle reaches 50 cm, and the leaf plate is 40 cm. The leaves are elongated, serrated along the edge. Orange-yellow small flowers are located on a high peduncle in several tiers (from 5 to 7).

Bissa's primrose (Primula beesiana) and powdered primrose (Primula pulverulenta) are very similar to it, only they are slightly larger with raspberry flowers, and the latter species has a powdery coating.

Japanese primrose (Primula japonica) - this beauty can be used for cutting. Her peduncle (30-50 cm) seems to be decorated with bright crimson bracelets. Flowering begins in May from the lower tiers and lasts about 2 months.

Japanese Primula Apple Blossom
Japanese primrose Miller's Crimson

Japanese primrose is also used in indoor floriculture as a pot culture.

The delicate apple blossom is reminiscent of the Apple Blossom variety, while Miller's Crimson has deep crimson flowers with a large cherry center.

Primula coekburna (Primula coekburniana) - also belongs to this group, but is very rarely grown in our area.

As you can see, this is a rather complicated classification and it is not always convenient for an amateur gardener to use it.

Classification of the English Royal Horticultural Society

This is a more simplified version of the classification.

Group-1. Ear-shaped primroses (auricula) and all sorts of their hybrids. This group is divided into 4 subgroups.

Primula ear

Border (bed) are the most hardy and resistant varieties of this group. Thanks to strong peduncles, they withstand bad weather well. The compact habit allows you to create low flowering borders from them, and a wide palette of colors makes them popular in the design of flower beds. May have a slight powdery coating.

Alpine auricles are also well suited for outdoor cultivation. All of them are brightly colored. The middle and the tube of the obligatory one color. Flowers with a white center tend to have petals in the violet-blue range, and if the center is golden yellow, the petals may be in the reddish-brown range. May have a light border. This subgroup does not have a powdery coating on the flowers.

Terry primrose is stunningly beautiful, but it requires more attention and care. However, it feels good in the flower beds with proper care.

Exhibition are hybrid, rather exacting and gentle grades. For the most part, the flowers are covered with a powdery coating, which makes them very original. However, bad weather (rain and wind) severely damages this plaque (farina), so in Europe these show varieties are grown under cover or at home. In addition, some of them cannot winter in the open field.

Group-2. Primrose-polyanthus primroses. This group includes 2 subgroups.

Polyanthic primroses. This includes all complex hybrids with the participation of multi-flowered and high primroses.

Primrose spring, ordinary, Julia, as well as all sorts of their varieties.

Group-3. Candelabra primroses. This group combines species with a tiered arrangement of inflorescences. These are Japanese, Bissa and Bullea, as well as all their varieties.

Primula vulgaris
Japanese primrose

This classification includes the most common types and varieties of primroses in decorative floriculture.

Classification according to the shape and arrangement of inflorescences

This is the simplest and most convenient classification for amateur gardeners, which allows you to choose varieties suitable for habit and shape for flower beds.

Cushion. This group includes species with single flowers on low peduncles, they only slightly rise above the “cushion” of leaves. The most popular in decorative floriculture from this group is the common primrose, small, Julia, Voronova.

Umbrella. In this group, inflorescences form a one-sided or rounded umbrella on peduncles up to 20 cm. Of the most popular types of primrose, high, polyanthus, auricular, spring, pink, rejected, and all their hybrids.

Spherical or capitate. Primrose spherical forms a dense capitate inflorescence, which looks like a decorative ball on a stem that grows during flowering. These include primrose finely toothed, capitate and their varieties.

Candelabra or tiered. The inflorescences of this group are arranged in tiers on a high strong peduncle, reminiscent of old candlesticks-candelabra. In our climate, Japanese primrose, Bullea, Byssa and powdered primrose are used.

florinda primrose
sikkimese primrose

Bellflowers. This group has a drooping inflorescence of bell-like yellow flowers at the top of a strong peduncle. The group is small, but planting of these plants is possible along the banks of water bodies and in poorly drained areas. These are the Sikkimese primrose (Рrimula sikkimensis) and the Florinda primrose (Рrimula florindae).

The garden has been known to people since the era of the most ancient civilizations. However, most often these were open gardens. Winter Garden -…

Indoor primroses

We examined the garden primrose and its classification. However, it should be noted that some species of this plant are grown as pot crops in our climate. Among them, the most common are Chinese primrose (Primula sinensis), Kyus primrose (Primula kewensis), malacoides primrose (Primula malacoides), reverse conical primrose (Primula obconica) and soft primrose (Primula malacoides).

Primrose reverse conical

For example, Chinese in open ground, blooms in May-June, and at home - from December to March.

Primula perennial is very diverse and beautiful. And the classifications we have considered will help you choose the variety that is right for your garden. An informative video will supplement the information.

The spring flower, also known as the primrose, is able to bloom even before the final melting of the snow cover. Thanks to this feature, the plant attracts the close attention of many landscape designers and flower growers. The perennial primrose, planting and caring for which does not take much time and effort, captivates with the spring attractiveness of bright inflorescences against the backdrop of nature that has not yet awakened.

Each gardener or gardener has a plot unsuitable for further cultivation of crops on it, in their opinion. However, an unpretentious primrose can fully develop in such areas, delighting the owner with spring colors. And although the beauty of the primrose is not able to outshine the surrounding flowers, it is able to give its flowers over a long period - from mid-spring to mid-summer, and sometimes twice during the growing season.

planting flowers

Proper planting is the key to successful plant growth.

Site and soil preparation

Different types of primrose have their own preferences: some love sunny areas, others - areas shaded by other plants, and others - damp banks of water bodies. The best solution would be to plant a crop in a shaded area or on the east side of the house, which will protect it from drying out in the midday scorching sun. If the planting of flowers is planned for the design of the rock garden, then the south side should be avoided.

Primrose prefers light fertile soils with high humidity and a good drainage system that prevents stagnant water, which the flower needs most during the phase of intensive development and flowering. In case of severe depletion of the soil, additional enrichment with nutrients is carried out by introducing organic matter at a rate of 20 kg of a mixture of compost, humus and peat in a ratio of 2: 1: 1 per 1 m2 and mineral fertilizers - 20 g of nitroammophoska for a similar area.

How and when to plant?

Planting perennial primrose in the garden is carried out in spring or autumn in the second year of development. Compact varieties are seated with a distance of 15 cm between specimens, and large species are located 20 cm apart.

Important! The bushes should be planted in such a way that when the growth is completed, the plantings are closed: the primrose has a negative attitude towards excess space.

Landing Rules

Primrose is planted, as a rule, with seedlings, for which you must follow the instructions:

1. At the beginning of February, seeds purchased from a specialized store are distributed over the surface of a moist soil mixture consisting of leafy soil, sand and peat in a ratio of 2: 1: 1, so that there are up to 5 pieces per 1 cm2.
2. The dishes with crops are covered with polyethylene and placed in a freezer with a temperature of up to -10°C.
3. After 3-4 weeks, the container with frozen seeds will be moved to the windowsill, where it is shaded from the direct sun.
4. A week after the appearance of the first shoots, the film is removed.
5. When seedlings, characterized by slow growth, form two pairs of true leaves, the seedlings are dived into boxes with tweezers.

Important! Primrose from seeds is planted in the garden only after two years of growing in boxes.

Perennial garden primrose care

Primrose does not need special care. However, in order for a flower to please its owner with flowers for a long period, it is required to adhere to the basic agrotechnical requirements for growing primroses in open ground.

Watering

Culture needs constantly moistened soil. In the spring, abundant watering is carried out once a week. During hot periods, the frequency of irrigation and the volume of water used doubles - 1 m2 is irrigated with three liters of liquid.

top dressing

Enriching the soil with nutrients is an integral part of proper care. During the growing season, the primrose is fed weekly with a solution of complex mineral fertilizers with a concentration two times less than indicated on the package.

Advice! To avoid building up green mass instead of forming flowers, fertilizing with nitrogen-containing fertilizers should alternate with the introduction of potassium and phosphorus.

flower transplant

Primula belongs to the strongly growing plants, therefore, it needs a systematic transplant every 4-5 years, in which the bush is divided.

Protection from pests and diseases

Since the primrose is cultivated on moist soils in partial shade, it is prone to fungal diseases in the form of powdery mildew, rot, rust, and bacterial blotches. When manifestations of fungal diseases are detected, fungicide treatments are carried out, and in the case of bacterial diseases, the affected specimens are destroyed. Of the pests on the primrose, aphids, spider mites, weevils, fleas are noted, which can be fought by spraying plantings with an insecticidal preparation.

Preparing for winter

After flowering is completed, the soil under the primroses is loosened and cleared of weeds, after which the flowers are left alone. In the autumn period, the culture begins to build up a green mass, which serves as a natural shelter for the flowers for the winter period.

reproduction

The seed method is not the only possible way to breed primrose. The flower can be propagated by vegetative methods - cuttings, dividing the bush and rooting the shoots.

The division of the bush

After the bush reaches three years, as a rule, you can begin to divide it. However, there are exceptions: some varieties reproduce using this method only after five years of age. The optimal time for dividing the bush is early spring or autumn - periods before or after the flowering phase.

When carrying out the procedure, you should be guided by the following algorithm:

• The plant is carefully dug up, and its root system is cleared of soil residues.
• The rhizome is divided with a sharp knife into parts, each of which should have 2-3 roots and a leafy rosette.
• Places of cuts are sprinkled with wood ash as an antiseptic.
• After the separated parts of the rhizome are planted in the garden.
• During spring division, each new plant is watered daily for 12-14 days.
• If the procedure is carried out in the fall, young specimens take refuge even before the onset of serious cold snaps.

Reproduction by cuttings

When applying this method, the largest primrose bush is selected, from which, after extraction from the soil, parts with developed roots are separated.

Then:

• The tops of the cuttings are cut longitudinally, which allows you to accelerate the growth rate of the kidneys.
• Prepared cuttings are planted in open ground to a depth of 4 cm.

rooting

In the case when the plant does not have a formed root system and fully developed rosettes, the rooting method is the most suitable method of propagation.

To be successful, you need to do the following:

• From the very base of the rhizome, a leaf petiole with ⅓ of a leaf plate is separated.
• The shoot is planted in a container filled with a substrate of leafy earth and sand in equal parts.
• The pot is transferred to a room with a large amount of diffused light and a temperature regime in the range of 16-18 ° C.

When a shoot develops from the bud, the plant is moved to the garden, provided that the weather conditions allow it.

Application in landscape design

Primrose's variety of species and varieties, as well as its ease of cultivation, have contributed to its growing popularity among landscapers, some of whom prefer primroses over tulips or daffodils. After all, if you choose the right varietal composition, a flower garden can delight the owner with flowers from mid-spring to the end of summer.

Most often, primrose is used to decorate the following objects:

• The shores of artificial reservoirs are often decorated with moisture-loving primroses.
• Borders and paths are organically shaded by bright varieties.
• Rock gardens and rockeries are also often decorated with primroses due to their undemanding soil and lighting.

So, garden primrose, being an undemanding flower, is an ideal crop for any garden plot. And the species diversity makes it possible to enjoy long flowering almost until the end of summer.

Primroses, or primroses (Primula) are one of the first flowers that open spring, accompany it, and then connect it with summer. Interest in primroses does not fade away, so every new season we are sure to talk about them.

Today you rarely see a cottage without primroses. Most often, it all starts with a single plant donated by March 8th. And then the desire to plant these beautiful flowers in the garden (and as many different varieties as possible!) Becomes obsessive. Flower after flower, more and more new primroses settle in your dacha, and gradually you become a candidate for primrose collectors, and then, perhaps, for breeders.

After all, if you have several primroses, you can hardly resist the temptation to try to create a personal variety. Moreover, this is not at all difficult to do (the entire hybridization process is described in the article).

In Russia, primroses, according to garden statistics, are the most grown perennials from seeds! Every year, breeders create new varieties (which are often not registered, so they are nameless), worthy of taking a place in summer cottages. Such primroses are distributed through nurseries (for example, Calico Garden) and private traders.

We have true fans of primroses on our site, and among them is the editor -. More than one article on primroses was prepared by her with love for these flowers:

Primrose garden groups

There is currently no generally accepted classification of primroses; allocate up to 23 groups or sections; The world assortment includes 400 species and thousands of varieties.

On the left - a primrose in my lens, on the right - garden groups of primroses. A photo

The most simple and easy to use classification of primroses of the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain (The Royal Horticultural Society), which distinguishes only 3 garden groups.

Group 1: candelabra-shaped, or tiered primroses

It includes: primrose Bis, p. Bulley, p. Japanese, their hybrids and varieties.

Primula Bisa, or Primrose Bisa

Primula Bisa (Primula beesiana syn. P. bulleyana)- deciduous or semi-evergreen rosette perennial up to 60 cm high and wide. It comes from the humid mountainous regions of China.

The leaves are large, up to 22 cm long. The flowers are small, up to 2 cm in diameter, white, yellow-orange, red-pink, collected by 8-16; bloom in summer. Cultivation group 2 (we will talk in detail about the gradation on this basis a little later).

Primula Bulley, or Bulley's primrose

Primula bulleyana (Primula bulleyana)- height and width up to 60 cm. Leaves up to 30 cm.

Cream to orange flowers, clustered in clusters of 5 in 5-7 cymes, bloom in summer. She is also from China, from the slopes of the mountains. Cultivation group 2.

Japanese primrose, or Japanese primrose

Japanese primrose (Primula japonica)- native to the humid regions of Japan.

Height and width about 45 cm. Leaves up to 25 cm. Flowers up to 2 cm in diameter, from red-purple to white, 5-25 pieces in 1-6 curls; bloom in late spring - summer. Cultivation group 2.

Group 2: auricula, or ear-shaped primroses

This group includes: ear primrose (Primula auricula) with thick bluish pubescent leaves (shaped like an auricle) and inflorescences of bright and pastel flowers, n. hairy (P. hirsuta), their numerous varieties and series.

Let us dwell only on larger gradations - three subgroups of primrose auricles:
1."Alpines" (Alpine)- flowers of a single color (light on the edge, more saturated in the middle).

Among them, there are 2 more sub-subgroups:

• with a golden center and red, brown, orange petals;
• with a cream or white center and cream, purple or blue petals.

These primroses are ideal for outdoor cultivation.

Primula from the "Alpine" category. Photo courtesy barnhaven.com

2. "Borders" (border, or flower beds)- more powerful than the previous ones: peduncles are strong, flowers of bright colors are collected in large inflorescences, resistant to rain. Luxurious primroses for spring flower beds.

Primrose from the "Borders" category, cultivar "Viennese Waltz". Photo courtesy of chilternseeds.co.uk

3. "Shows" (exhibition)- mostly potted. The most capricious auricles.

Primrose from the "Shows" category, variety "Slioch". Photo courtesy of ashwoodnurseries.com

Cultivation groups of primrose auriculum: 1, 2 or 5.

This is interesting:
In the UK, where the auricular primrose has been cultivated for over 400 years and is loved for its beauty and endurance, there is the Royal Society of Primrose Auricula Fanciers. The British made them a collector's item, and even part of the British historical heritage. The best collections of auricles belonged to the kings, and the presence of rare varieties in the possession of the courtiers automatically increased the status of their owner. Due to the value of mealy plaque (farinas), in the rainy climate of foggy Albion, they are grown under a canopy or in cold greenhouses.

Primrose hairy, or hairy primrose

Primula hairy (Primula hirsuta, syn. P. rubra)- a fairly compact evergreen primrose native to the Pyrenees, the Alps.

Up to 10 cm high, grows up to 25 cm in width. A spectacular rosette of leaves, each of which is up to 8 cm long. The flowers are saucer-shaped, mauve, with a white eye; 1.5-2.5 cm in diameter, collected in umbellate inflorescences up to 15 pieces; bloom in late spring - early summer. Culture groups 1, 2 or 4.

Group 3: primrose-polyanthus primroses

This group includes 2 subgroups:
1. Polyanthus primroses. These are complex hybrids with flowers of various colors, which are called so - polyanthus, many-flowered or Victorian primroses ( Primula Polyanthus Group). Plus high primrose hybrids ( Primula elatior Hybrids). Culture groups 1, 2, 4, or 6.

On the left is a primrose from the polyanthus group in my lens, on the right is a primrose variety of the high Crescendo series. Photo from russellwholesale.com

2. This subgroup of primroses includes: common primrose, n. Julia, n. spring, their varieties.

Spring primrose, or spring primrose

Spring primrose (Primula veris)- This is a plant of dry forest lawns, edges of deciduous forests, birch forests of Central and Southern Europe. Very variable (changeable) appearance.

It is up to 25 cm high and wide. The leaves are petiolate, wrinkled, up to 20 cm long. The flowers are bright yellow, with an orange eye, 1-1.5 cm in diameter, fragrant, collected from 2 to 16 in one-sided umbrellas on high peduncles (10 -30 cm); bloom in April-May. There are garden forms with flowers of red, cream and other colors, bicolor and terry. Cultivation group 1 or 2. Suitable for decorating the most uncomfortable spring corners of cottages. Prefers calcareous soils.

The seasonal or phenological gradation of primroses is interesting, which can be divided into 3 large groups according to the time of flowering.

Early flowering primroses

Flowering begins in March and ends in May. The very first of them to bloom are high primrose, p. Julia and p. pink.

Primrose Julia, or Primrose Julia

Primula Julia (Primula juliae) miniature and charming, 7 cm high, up to 25 cm wide. She comes from Eastern Transcaucasia.

Primula Julia grade "Theodora"

The leaves are ovate-rounded, large-sized along the edge, up to 10 cm long. The flowers are purple-lilac, purple, with a yellow eye, up to 3 cm in diameter, arranged 1 on thin pedicels; there is a white-flowered form. Cultivation group 1, 2, or 4. With a lack of moisture, sheds leaves. Suitable for use as a groundcover.

Primrose pink, or pink primrose

Primula pink (Primula rosea)- deciduous rosette perennial native to Afghanistan, Nepal.

Height and width up to 20 cm; leaves up to 20 cm long, young - bronze-red. The flowers are pink-red, with a yellow eye, up to 2.5 cm in diameter, collected 4-12 in umbellate inflorescences. Cultivation group 2.

You can find a large assortment of primroses of various types and varieties in our catalog, which combines the offers of various garden online stores. .

Primula is a beautiful and touching perennial flower of the primrose family. It is also called a primrose. Thanks to its early (snow will barely melt) flowering, decorative qualities and unpretentiousness, it has earned a good attitude among gardeners - planting and caring for primrose are simple, and these flowers adorn the plot unusually.

Preparing for planting in open ground

Primula is an unpretentious plant - planting and care in the open field are simple. To decorate your garden with a carpet of flowers, it is enough to take into account a few points.

Landing dates

Perennial garden primrose is planted in open ground in the second year of life. You can plant in spring or autumn. The optimal time for planting seedlings is the end of May - the beginning of June. You can sow seeds in one of the periods:

1. Spring. End of February - beginning of March. Seeds are sown in containers. When the snow melts, they are transplanted into open ground.
2. Summer. July August. This period is relevant for varietal primroses, in which seeds ripen at this time.
3. Autumn. Planting seeds before winter. It is believed that planting primrose in the garden in autumn (October) is most effective, because after the snow melts, the soil is saturated with moisture.

Site selection

When choosing a place to plant, you need to take into account that the wild perennial primrose grows in the forest, forest-steppe zone. The place should be slightly shaded, well ventilated, rather cool.

Preplant soil preparation

The soil for primroses needs fertile, with a neutral or slightly acidic pH, clayey, loose, moisture-intensive, moist, well-drained. If the land on the site does not meet these requirements, its composition is improved. It is necessary to remove 20 cm of the top layer of soil and replace it with a suitable layer of soil. For 1 m² is applied:

• sand (bucket);
• crushed sphagnum moss;
• vermiculite;
• fermented manure (2 kg).

Planting material preparation

Preparing a primrose for planting out of a greenhouse or greenhouse consists in hardening, accustoming to the sun's rays. When the temperature in the open air rises above 10 ° C, containers with seedlings are taken out into the open air for several hours. If the primrose is a large plant, or has already bloomed, then it is advisable to keep it in the fresh air for a week before planting.

Planting process

Before planting, both flowers in containers and holes prepared for them in the soil are moistened. 2 hours after watering, they are planted in open ground. It is better to plant a primrose on a cloudy day. The seedlings then better acclimatize to the sun's rays. In the case of planting in dry and hot weather, the plants need to be moistened abundantly.

There are three ways to plant primroses in the ground:

1. Seedling method. The old earth is removed from the roots as much as possible.
2. Transfer method. The earth covering the roots is preserved. Primroses, which have a delicate root system, are recommended to be planted in a transshipment way.
3. Replacing the topsoil. The earth is loosened, the top layer is removed and new light nutrient soil is covered.

When planting large flowers, a distance of 40–45 cm must be observed between them. A distance of 10–15 cm is observed between miniature primroses. To obtain the decorative effect of a flower rug, plants are planted more closely.

Primrose care rules

Primrose is an unpretentious flower, the main care for it is to systematically loosen the soil (preferably after watering), remove weeds, maintain soil moisture, and shelter for the winter.

Watering frequency and water quality requirements

Water weekly at the rate of about 3 liters of water per m². In the heat, watering is increased, focusing on the soil - it must be maintained in a slightly moistened state. Watering - in the evening, after sunset, or in cloudy weather - to protect the primrose from sunburn. Water should be settled, not cold.

Choice and timing of fertilization

Planting and care in the open field include regular feeding of primrose, soil enrichment. For top dressing use complex fertilizers. The dose is halved from the recommended on the package. Top dressing - weekly, from the appearance of the first leaves to the end of flowering, simultaneously with loosening the soil.

1. Apply potash fertilizers in early spring.
2. During flowering (14–21 days after the first fertilizer), apply phosphorus top dressing. They increase the duration of flowering.
3. After flowering - nitrogen fertilizers, potash and phosphorus. And also the flower needs organic fertilizers (mullein, horse manure).

In autumn, the place where the primrose grows is enriched with a nutrient substrate. In a layer of 3 cm to a depth of 15–20 cm, add a mixture of the following composition:

• humus (5 kg.);
• compost earth (10 kg);
• peat (5 kg.);
• phosphorus-potassium fertilizers (20 g);
• nitrogen fertilizers (15 g).

Lighting

Optimal lighting for primrose - diffused sunlight, partial shade. It is good to plant next to tall plants. Deciduous trees, shrubs give it the necessary shading from the sun. The perennial primrose feels good when planted next to coniferous trees.

favorable temperature

In summer, primrose feels comfortable at a temperature not exceeding 25 ° C. During the dormant period, the optimum temperature is 15-18°C. This also applies to home primroses. In areas with warm winters, primrose is unpretentious, it is not necessary to cover - there will be enough snow layer. But it must be borne in mind that in a snowless cold winter, a flower can freeze out. In cold regions, the primrose is covered with dry foliage, straw, spruce branches. The cover layer should be less than 10 cm thick.

Trimming Rules

Pruning of the plant is done in the spring, and in the fall the leaf rosette must be preserved - it will serve as a natural shelter for the primrose for the winter - and from the cold, from the wind. Remove these leaves in spring.

Pests and diseases of primrose

It is necessary to notice even slight changes in the appearance of primroses, as they can signal a disease or pest attack. For example, a fluffy gray coating on leaves and flowers means gray rot; white, with black dots, plaque on the leaves is a sign of powdery mildew. Withered leaves can be a sign of phytophthora, and twisted and yellowed - signal the appearance of aphids. Small light spots may indicate thrips feeding sites, and dried out patches of leaves and a thin cobweb are a sign of the appearance of a tick.

flowering period

The flowering period of primrose depends on the type and variety. Combining different types, you can get a smart garden from April to August. Flowering time:

• the beginning of spring - the beginning of summer (“Virginia”, “Siebold”);
• beginning and end of summer (“Bullesiana”, “Florinda”).

flowering acceleration

Forced acceleration of flowering is called forcing. It is made at home in order to receive flowers by a certain time, for example, by March 8th.

1. In October, dig up a garden primrose (2 years old) and, together with an earthen clod, leave it in a cold (2–5 ° C) room. Does not need watering.
2. Do not allow higher temperatures or bright light - this can provoke leaf growth.
3. In February-January, move the primrose to a bright and warm (12-15 ° C) room. Resume watering.
4. When the primrose blooms, apply potassium-phosphorus top dressing every 2 weeks.

For distillation, “ordinary”, “pink” primrose, primrose “siebold” are suitable.

Rest period care

After flowering, the primrose is busy growing leaves. Care for the flower during this period should be unobtrusive. Watering is reduced, top dressing is applied once a month.

Reason and methods of transplantation

The main reason for the transplant is the tendency of the primrose to grow strongly. If, after 3-5 years of growing in the garden in one place, the primrose begins to grow and bloom poorly, then it needs to be transplanted. Ways:

1. Adding new nutrient soil. This method can be used if the root is exposed, has begun to dry out, but for some reason transplanting to a new place is difficult or undesirable.
2. Transshipment. It is used if the root system has not grown much and the plant can be transplanted along with an earthy clod on the roots. When transshipping, you need to pluck out all the buds and flowers, because the primrose will need strength to root.
3. Transfer. For adult (4-5 years) plants. Simultaneously with the transplant, reproduction is also carried out by dividing the bush. In autumn, the flower is dug up, the roots are separated and seated.

It is advisable to transplant the garden primrose after the flowering period, in spring (late May - early June) or autumn - in September.

Reproduction methods

Primula reproduces vegetatively (cutting, dividing the bush) and seed.

By dividing the bush

Reproduction of primrose by dividing the bush allows you to rejuvenate the plant and preserve all varietal characteristics. The division of the bush is usually carried out during transplantation and after the end of flowering, the flower must be at least 3 years old. Water the site, dig up the bush and wash the roots from the ground. With a sharp knife, cut the roots in such a way that a leaf rosette remains on the divisions. Powder cuts with ash. It is necessary to plant as soon as possible, until the divisions have dried up. Water heavily for the next 2 weeks.

cuttings

Leaf reproduction. A well-developed leaf rosette is cut off near the roots of the plant. A leaf with a kidney (stalk) is separated and planted in a container with earth. Keep the container with the petiole in a bright place at a temperature of 16-18 ° C until roots appear, and then transplanted into a container until spring.

seeds

Primrose can be grown from seed. Self-collected seeds must be disinfected. Soak in a solution of boric acid (0.5 g per 1 liter of water) for a day, rinse. Procedure:

1. In a container with a good drainage layer, lay out a substrate of soddy soil and sand (1 part each) and sheet soil (2 parts).
2. Scatter seeds over the surface (5 pieces are enough for 1 cm), lightly tamp. Cover container with foil.
3. Stratify for at least 10 days (or about a month) at 5 to -10°C. This can be done in the freezer.
4. Transfer the container to the windowsill, water the seeds. Every day the film is slightly opened for several hours and completely removed after 2 weeks.
5. At a temperature of 17 degrees shoots will appear in 25 days. After the appearance of 2-3 true leaves, the seedlings swoop down.

It is necessary to learn about the characteristics of the variety, because not all primroses need stratification (for example, “rosanna”).

The use of primrose in landscape design

Primrose can decorate almost any corner of the site. A necessary condition is that the direct rays of the sun should not fall on it, therefore, when landing, one should adhere to the north side. Primrose can be planted in a continuous flower carpet along the paths, grow a green border (for this, varieties “high”, “polyanthus” are well suited).

Particularly moisture-loving variety "Sikkimskaya" will look spectacular near ponds and fountains. For alpine slides, “rocky”, “allioni” are well suited. In flowerbeds, in front gardens, primroses go well with daffodils, irises, phloxes, tulips, bluebells. Hybrid primroses are indispensable in landscape design, because they have a bright and varied color.

Popular types and varieties of primrose

The genus Primula is extremely diverse. Includes more than 500 species, almost 200 varieties. Primroses “stemless”, “siebold”, “spring” are especially widespread.

Primrose stemless, or ordinary (Primula vulgaris)

The common primrose is very decorative, blooming in March - April - July with an abundance of white, pale yellow flowers and shades of pink and red. Under favorable circumstances, it can bloom again in early autumn. Easily tolerates air temperatures down to minus 23 °C.

Primula Siebold (Primula sieboldii)

It blooms from July with flowers of scarlet and purple hues. The edges of the petals are smooth and "patterned". In this species, leaves die off after flowering, so it must be carefully covered for the winter.

Spring primrose (Primula veris)

Spring primrose is the most famous type of primrose. Many hybrids with varied, simple and complex colors have come from this species, including terry primroses. The “spring” primrose itself blooms with yellow-orange flowers in April. Easily tolerates low temperatures, but must be protected from frost.

Primula high (Primula elatior)

It blooms in April-May with small yellow inflorescences. Primrose hybrids are pink to dark blue in color. Because of its decorative appearance, early long flowering and unpretentiousness, it is readily grown in gardens.

Other types

Some types of primroses are grown at home. The best plants for home growing are:

1. Primrose "obkonika". It blooms in a pot with red, yellow, blue, purple large flowers in the winter-spring period.
2. Primrose "Chinese". This indoor primrose is distinguished by unusual buds - they are close to each other and resemble a bouquet.

Planting and caring for primrose at home are not difficult. Requirements for temperature, watering, soil are similar to garden primroses. But indoor primroses, unlike garden ones, can cause an allergic skin reaction.

Primrose is famous not only for its decorative qualities, but also for its healing properties. Decoctions and infusions of leaves help with bronchitis, rheumatism, headaches, strengthen the immune system and calm the nerves.

primroses- one of the most popular and favorite plants among our flower growers. In nature, these flowers can be found almost throughout the Eurasian continent in temperate latitudes, in humid highlands.

But, like all plants, primrose has the ability to adapt to other growing conditions, so for more than one century it has been successfully cultivated by gardeners around the world, including Russia.

Description of primrose

primrose primrose- one of the most diverse and common early flowering plants. In total there are up to 550 species. Most often it is a perennial, herbaceous or semi-shrub culture, but there are both annual and biennial primroses.

The underground part of the primrose is a rhizome with roots. The leaves are always collected in a small basal rosette, but they can take a variety of shapes - lanceolate, oblong-oval, oval.

Given the species diversity of primroses, the leaves may have an uneven surface, or a dense, leathery texture. Leaves can live either only one season, dying off after the first frost, or hibernate under snow cover and come to life for the new season.

primrose flowers have a tubular structure with bipartite or solid petals.

Primrose color have the most diverse, there are monophonic, two-color and tricolor plants. Breeders bred terry primroses. Often the flowers have a peephole. Peduncle without leaves, produces one or more flowers collected in spherical, umbellate or pyramidal inflorescences.

Primula gives fruits in the form of seed-pods. Seeds in boxes are small, dark brown, cylindrical or spherical in shape. The flowering period is spring. There are species that bloom in summer.

Useful properties of primrose

Even the ancient Greeks appreciated healing properties of primrose (primrose), and it's no wonder. The root system of this plant is part of the diaphoretic, diuretic and expectorant spectrum of action, helping to start the processes of sputum secretion from the respiratory tract.

Decoctions of primrose roots are used in folk medicine for insomnia, decoctions of leaves are used for beriberi, neurosis, headaches, tinctures for the treatment of gout, rheumatism, skin rashes.

Agrotechnics for growing this crop is not so complicated. In this article, we want to tell you about how to grow primrose outdoors on and in the garden. We will not dwell on the description of this family of early flowering, you can read about the varieties and types of primroses in.

Growing primrose in open ground

Where is the best place to plant primroses

First of all, you should decide on primrose planting site. Regardless of the variety and place of their natural growth, in our natural conditions, professional flower growers for primroses recommend shaded areas of the garden under deciduous trees (or pears) or shrubs, flower beds and hillocks, which are not exposed to the afternoon rays of the sun, wet coastal zones of reservoirs.

Moisture and soil requirements for planting primrose

Moisturizing

The soil for primroses should be loose and moisture-intensive.. In other words, primroses should receive a large amount of moisture, but at the same time, the liquid should not stagnate and overmoisten the soil.

In the spring, in April-May, moisture should be the most intense, because in nature, during the melting of snow in the mountains, primroses literally drown in water. Often in our conditions there is little rain at this time, so make sure that the primroses do not dry out, otherwise the plants will weaken and lose their decorative qualities.

Useful advice: Varieties such as Siebold's primrose are best grown with their root system immersed 1-2 cm in water.

The soil

Regardless of where your primrose's ancestors grew before, and mountain crevices with poor soils, or along mountain streams, or among alpine meadows with rich fertile soils, primroses should be provided with loose, well-manured soils in horticultural crops - light and clay. Such soil retains nutrients, is well saturated with moisture and drains it quickly enough.

If your site has heavy clay soil, this drawback is easily eliminated by adding 1 sq.m. landing area:

• sand buckets,
• crushed sphagnum moss
• vermiculite,
• 2 kg or rotted silage.

The easiest way to do this is to remove 20 cm of topsoil from the area and replace it with a suitable nutrient mixture. A year later, in the fall, it will be sufficient to apply only mineral potassium-phosphorus fertilizers to such soil.

Lack of light soils in low nutrient content. Such soils are enriched with:

• 5 kg of old humus,
• 10 kg of leaf (compost) earth,
• 5 kg of old peat,
• 20 g of phosphorus-potassium and 15 g of nitrogen fertilizers

per 1 sq.m of landing area.

Primrose Care

These plants do not need special care. The main thing is to provide the necessary amount of moisture and sufficient air flow to the primrose root system.. To maintain the right level of nutrient medium, do not forget to regularly get rid of weeds.

Top dressing primrose

During the growing season primrose should be fed three times a season potash-phosphorus fertilizer and regular organic fertilizer.

• The first application of mineral fertilizers is done in early spring.
• The second time - after 14-21 days.
• The third time is in July.

All this time, do not forget to pour primrose bushes with slurry (mullein, horse or sheep manure), and in the fall you should enrich the place where you grow primroses with a 3 cm layer of nutrient substrate to a depth of 15-20 cm.

To preserve moisture, ensure aeration of the root system and prevent abundant germination of weeds, primrose plantings are mulched with a gravel layer of 5 cm. In addition, it will serve as a wonderful decorative addition to the plantings of primroses.

Useful advice: To prolong the flowering period of primroses, pick off dried flowers regularly.

Like all plants, primroses tend to grow. After 3-4 years, they can grow so much that they will be forced to crowd each other and bloom poorly. Therefore, in order to provide primroses with normal development conditions and the nutritional properties of the substrate, plant bushes should be divided and planted. It will be better if you not only plant overgrown bushes, but also transfer the entire flower garden with primroses to another place.

Perennial plantings of primroses need protective shelter for the winter. First of all, it is important to keep the primrose rosette until autumn - this is the natural protection of the plant from the winter cold.

Useful advice: the socket of such varieties of primroses as Japanese, Florinda and Fine-toothed does not retain all, leaving only 3-4 leaves, this significantly reduces the likelihood of the primrose getting rotted with root collar and leaf rot, and also allows the plant to form larger and brighter flowers by spring.

Mulching for the winter is easiest to do at the end of autumn with a 10 cm layer of tree foliage.

Diseases and pests of primroses

Most often primroses are subject to the following diseases:

• rust,
• ground rot,
• bacterial leaf spot,
• powdery mildew,
• anthracnose,
• jaundice,
• viruses and cucumber mosaic,

From pests often there is a lesion:

• nematodes,
• weevil,
• fleas,
• beetles, etc.

Primrose brings the biggest trouble fungus Ramularia cercosporella . This is evidenced by the appearance in the last days of spring, first pale, and then brown spots with a yellow border on the leaves of the plant.

When the sporulation of mushrooms begins, and this usually occurs in the second half of July, the spots become covered with a whitish coating. This leads to wilting and drying of the leaves, cessation of flowering, weakening of the plant.

To prevent such situations, regularly inspect primrose bushes. If affected leaves are found, remove and destroy them. Twice a year, immediately after flowering and in early spring treat planting primroses with the following compositions:

• 0.2% topsin, 2% fundazol, 1.5% cineb,

• 0.5% copper oxychloride, 1% Bordeaux liquid.

In autumn, primroses should be sprayed with 1% nitrafen.

Interesting to know. Primrose Julia, primrose Ordinary, Spring and High are most susceptible to this disease. More resistant to the defeat of Ramularia cercosporella, primrose Ear, primrose Pink, Pallas were revealed. Japanese primrose, Florinda and Finely toothed primrose do not get sick with this fungus.

Reproduction of primroses

These plants can be propagated vegetatively(dividing the bush, cuttings), and with the help seeds.

Growing primroses from seeds

Requirements for seeds and substrate

Primroses give a ripe seed box in the second half of summer. But when collecting seed material, one should take into account the fact that primrose seeds lose their germination very easily. That's why for sowing, take only freshly harvested planting material.

Primrose can be sown, in principle, at any time of the year, but in the Middle lane we recommend that you do this from the end of February. Try to find the most suitable day for this with the help. So you will achieve better germination of seedlings and their normal development.

If you are going to sow primroses in your summer cottage in open ground, then wait for the snow to melt and prepare boxes or containers for sowing by digging them into the ground. So you reduce the likelihood of losing seedlings. At the same time, you will have to make sure that the soil in the containers does not dry out, is not washed off by showers and is not damaged by various pets.

You can plant primroses in a similar way in the summer immediately after the seed pods ripen, but then, in order to ensure normal seed germination during periods of summer drought, you will need more planting material. Some flower growers sow primroses at the end of autumn. But primrose gives the highest percentage of germination during seed propagation in the spring.

Seeding tanks

The most suitable for this are mini-greenhouses or containers, at the bottom of which drainage holes are provided, with plastic, transparent lids. But you can use for this purpose any suitable container that allows you to equip a mini-greenhouse for seeds. You can even take an ordinary plastic food container with drainage holes drilled in the bottom.

Substrate for sowing

For most varieties of primrose, it is best to take the substrate, consisting of:

• 1/4 sod land,
• 1/2 leaf humus,
• 1/4 sand.

You can use ready-made flower soil, which is sold in stores. Just add 20-50% vermiculite and perlite or sphagnum moss to it if these components are not part of the mixture.

Fill containers with prepared substrate. It is possible, in the case of small Auricula seeds, to make a thin top layer of perlite. In this case, the soil should be slightly moistened with a spray bottle.

Sowing primrose seeds

Sowing of these plants is carried out on the soil surface at the rate of 5 grains per 1 sq. cm of the sown area. This can be done with a napkin, on which the seeds are poured, or with a toothpick, after wetting its tip with water. Seeds should be lightly pressed into the ground.

What is cold start and why is it needed

In nature, many species of wild primroses grow at the base of glaciers. Therefore, in order to give friendly shoots, the seeds of such varieties of primroses as Pink, Florinda, Japanese, Siebold, High and Lower need cold start. This means that immediately after sowing, the containers are placed in the freezer (down to -10 degrees) or sprinkled with snow for 3-4 weeks.

Primrose Siebold and High after cold start should be germinated in a dark room until sprouts appear. We do not recommend amateur flower growers to deal with such varieties of primroses, leave it to experienced breeders. But hybrid varieties do not need such a procedure.

Germination of seedlings

Before sprouts appear, direct sunlight does not pose any particular problems for greenhouses. But as soon as you notice the first shoots, be sure to take care of shading primroses and regular moistening of the soil using a spray gun or syringe without a needle. Just do not overdo it with watering, otherwise the seedlings will begin to rot very quickly!

You should also begin to gradually acclimatization of sprouts. This means that it is necessary to periodically ventilate the greenhouse, slowly increasing the ventilation time until the seedlings grow up and 2 fully formed leaves appear on them. Then it is already possible to remove the transparent protective cover or film from the containers. During the period of intensive growth of seedlings, the frequency of watering is increased.

Note. In order to sprout, primroses planted in autumn will need 14-18 weeks, and seeds sown in spring, only a month.

Seedling dive

It is advisable to do the picking 2 or 3 times. After 3 full-fledged leaves appear on young plants, they should be seated. Too thickened crops, it makes sense to dive earlier in order to give them all the opportunity to develop normally. In this case, this procedure is best done with tweezers so as not to damage the delicate, fragile plant.

Do a pick every time the seedlings grow strongly.

Seedlings can be transplanted directly into the soil of the greenhouse, or into specially prepared boxes, and plant small varieties at a distance of 15 cm from each other, the distance between large primroses is up to 30 cm. At the same time, try to ensure that there is no free space between the leaves of neighboring primroses this is not good for them.

For a permanent place of growth primroses are planted only in the second year of life in spring or autumn. Plants show their decorative properties, as a rule, in the third year of life.

How to save seed

In the event of adverse weather conditions during the winter, your primroses may freeze or swell. So that there are no empty places in the flower garden, you should always have a supply of fresh seeds from last year's collection. Store such seeds, mixed with sand, in the refrigerator or basement.

Reproduction of primroses by dividing the bush

You can start this procedure not earlier than after 3-5 years of growing primroses- in early spring, or from the second half of July. Try not to plant primroses later than the first half of September, otherwise, plants that are not yet strong may freeze and lose their decorative qualities or even die.

It's important to know. Primroses that bloom in summer should be planted in spring.

In order to plant a plant, it is watered abundantly, carefully dug up, carefully shake off a clod of earth from the roots and wash the roots in water. So it will be much more convenient for you to separate the bushes and at the same time injure the plant as little as possible.

Then, with a knife, the bush is divided into arbitrary parts, but it should be taken into account that there should be at least one renewal bud in the divisions. Sections must be processed, then as quickly as possible, avoiding drying out, the delenki must be seated in a new place. After the plants are planted in the ground, they should be watered and preferably labeled with the variety name and breeding date.

It will be better if you plant the delenki in such a way that there is no free space between the foliage of the rosettes, so the plants can protect themselves from drying out. For 2 weeks, seedlings need daily watering. In case of propagation in autumn, do not forget to carry out protective mulching for the winter.

Propagation by cuttings

Reproduction of primrose cuttings carried out according to a technology similar to reproduction by dividing the bush. But not all types of primroses can be propagated in this way.

Auricula propagated by rooting leaf cuttings. To do this, in the fall, several leaves are separated from the outlet and planted in a greenhouse, while the cutting should take root in 2-3 weeks. In spring, plants are transplanted into open ground to a permanent place.

jagged primrose easily propagated by root cuttings. For this procedure, the largest plants are suitable, in which several large thick roots are separated. In order for the root to form buds, make a longitudinal cut up to one and a half cm in its upper part. After that, the cuttings should be planted in lightweight soil 3 cm deep. Next, we proceed as described above for leaf cuttings.

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Primrose in garden design in photos

Primrose garden path border

Primrose in a flower bed with daffodils

Flowerbed with primroses