Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Hardy Primroses
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Pictured above is Primula kisoana, which is almost a weed here; it is unusual in that it spreads by underground runners, reminding me somewhat of a strawberry patch, with its hairy, slightly scalloped leaves. It is a toughie; it likes to spread out into the bark chip paths, where I can just pull up plants anytime I want, and pot them up or transplant them; they will grow anywhere for me... with their very hairy leaves, they seem the most drought and heat-resistant of any I grow, not wilting even in hot sun or dry wind, that would turn other primroses to mush. Primula sieboldii is often called the beginner's primrose, with its special advantage being that the foliage goes dormant in the late summer, so it is more resistant to heat and drought (though even dormant primroses don't want to be baked). In Japan, this primrose is keenly collected and grown, as there are numerous named clones, some quite pricey; I suppose one could come up with a dozen or so varieties in this country without too much trouble. I might like a close relative of sieblodii a tiny bit better: Primula cortusoides... it is a little smaller and perhaps a little more delicate, but I like it because its foliage grows in a better clump than sieboldii (which tends to run about). The common species primroses of England: vulgaris, elatior, and veris, also are pretty reliable, as are the hybrid complexes between these three species, and those crossed with the species Primula juliae, which all are sold under a variety of labels: vulgaris (should be called "x vulgaris"), polyanthus, acaulis, juliae (should be "x juliae" or juliana), and such names as Pacific Giants, Danova, Wanda, etc. There is a lot of variation in hardiness in this whole group, and a major topic in itself would be just sorting out the confusing names and parentage (which I about half understand but will nevertheless tackle sometime in this blog). Primula denticulata is the last member of my list, and probably the most delicate of the bunch; it really would like a little cooler, moister summer than we can provide; it persists, but multiplies fairly slowly, and occasionally disappears. The beauty of its flowers makes up for its shortcomings.
There are other primroses that likely will eventually join this list: saxatilis, polyneura, yuparensis, rosea, and hopefully many others, but I could be happy and have quite a primrose garden just with these hardiest of the hardy.
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Wanda,
Well, in summer my iris flop all over the place, while your's look like little trees... we all have our little gardening cross to bear.
Don
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Well, in summer my iris flop all over the place, while your's look like little trees... we all have our little gardening cross to bear.
Don
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