Perennial primrose is a garden crop. People call it a primrose, a key, a talisman of happiness, a lamb or an Easter flower. Its buds are varied and very beautiful. The plant is unpretentious, flowering is observed early. Thanks to all my positive qualities this flower has won the love of amateur gardeners and landscape design masters.
Primrose perennial photo
Primrose belongs to the Primrose family. This perennial crop blooms in early spring, but there are species that bloom closer to the middle and even the end of summer, and there are also those that bloom twice per season! There are more than 600 species in the wild. They are found throughout Europe, Asia, and America. They mainly grow in forests, on plains, where there is moist, enriched soil.
Interesting!
Interesting! Primula "Ponifolia", "Julia", "Berengia" and "Daryal" are listed in the Red Book of Russia.
About 200 plant species are popular in gardening. Their main advantages: delicate aroma, beautiful flowers of various shapes, rapid reproduction and decorative leaves. Perennial primroses are popular as ornamental crops in flower beds and flower beds. You can grow them not only in the garden, but also at home, in pots. Usually, flowers are transplanted into pots for the winter so that in early spring they gave the first flowers.
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Types of garden primroses photo
There are so many varieties of primroses that it is difficult to list them all. Below are the most unusual and popular types.
"Ear Primrose" has leathery, dense leaves of a rich, green color. Flowers up to 2 cm in diameter. Color depends on the subspecies. Well-known varieties: “General”, “Blue Vev”, “Gigantea”, “Jupp”, “Max”.
"Pubescent" Perennial primrose has compact dimensions. It grows up to 15 cm in height. The flowers are located on erect pedicels up to 15 cm high. The buds are collected in inflorescences of 5-15 pieces. Blooms from May to late June. Her main feature– resistance to frost.
"Fine-toothed" primrose produces spherical, large inflorescences consisting of large quantity snow-white, lilac, burgundy or purple flowers with a diameter of 0.5-2.5 cm. In general, the inflorescence has a diameter of up to 10 cm. The peduncles are tall, about 23 cm. Flowering lasts from April to the end of June. The interesting thing is that the leaves of these primroses are covered with a coating and it is advisable to prevent drops of water from getting on them! Varieties: “Alba”, “Rubra”, “Vilet”.
Important! In order for the flowering of primroses to be lush and long-lasting, it is recommended to loosen the soil under them well, moisten it, and in the spring feed it with Kemira fertilizer according to the instructions.
"Primrose of Florinda" characterized by long flowering from early June to late August. Its buds are shaped like bells. Loves moist areas and is often grown near water bodies. For the winter they require obligatory shelter. Varieties: Race Ruby, Red Shades.
"Common primrose" or “Stemless” has a short rhizome and a very short stem, hence the name. The leaves are lanceolate and large. The flowers are snow-white, pale yellow or purple, solitary, located on short stalks. Petals are bilobed. During the flowering period from March, it is covered with an abundance of colorful buds. Some of the most popular varieties include Cerulea, Virginia and Giga White.
"Japanese perennial primrose" characterized by late flowering - from June. Flowering period up to 40 days. The shape of the inflorescences is candelabra. The inflorescences stand on an elongated peduncle up to 40 cm high. Each inflorescence contains 5-7 buds. Each adult primrose can have up to 6 tiers on its peduncle. Varieties: Apple Blossom, Miller's Crimson, Postford White.
Varieties of primrose photo
There are several methods for propagating primroses.
Cuttings. For this process, a longitudinal incision is made on top of the root, no more than 1.5 cm. This will provoke the appearance of a bud. Then the cuttings are planted in light soil, to a depth of 3 cm, and provided with traditional care.
It is possible to propagate the crop by seeds, but it is ineffective. This method is usually used by breeders. Sow the seeds immediately after ripening in open ground or containers. Shoots appear in about 3 weeks if the seeds were sown in the fall, and if in the spring, then 1-2 weeks later.
Interesting!
Interesting! According to ancient English legends, fairies and forest gnomes live in primrose buds.
By dividing the bush, perennial primrose reproduces quite often. This method is popular if you need to rejuvenate the bush. It is carried out in the 3-5th year of crop growth, when the bush has grown greatly. This is done after flowering or in August. The soil is well watered to make the bush easier to dig out. When the bush is dug up, the soil is shaken off from the roots and the roots are washed in water. Using a sharp knife, divide the bush into required quantity parts so that each has a renewal point. The sections are powdered with earth or ash. Now all that remains is to plant the cuttings and water them regularly over the next 2 weeks.
Primroses: planting and care
Primroses prefer fertile, humus-rich soil. They can be planted in a sunny or shaded area (partial shade is preferable), although here it is best to focus on the characteristics of the type and variety of primrose, because they may have their own preferences in terms of planting location.
Perennial primrose is usually planted in mid-spring, when the air temperature is within +14...+16 degrees Celsius. Usually this is April or May. If a flower is planted, what used to grow up at home, in a pot, you need to harden it outside a week before planting. In the fall, the primroses that were sown the year before are usually planted. The sowing of seeds is usually carried out in the fall, for the winter, so that by spring the seeds germinate.
Perennial primrose is planted almost the same way as any other flower in open ground. Planting time is morning or evening, before the sun becomes most active. A distance of 15-20 cm is maintained between flowers, depending on the type. During the growth process, the bushes should practically intertwine, because these plants do not like a lot of free space around - they need a little thickening. If planting is carried out in the fall or seeds are sown for the winter, it is important to mulch them on top so that they do not freeze.
Photo of garden primrose
Perennial garden primrose is undemanding to care, but in order to receive beautiful flowers from year to year, you will have to make some effort.
The plant is drought-resistant, and yet it is advisable, if possible, to maintain normal humidity land. If the earthen ball dries out often, the plant may begin to hurt.
During the active growing season, fertilizing is needed. In the case of open ground, simple manure is used. It is mixed with water and poured under the bushes about 3-4 times throughout the season, or less often if the crop is already growing and blooming luxuriantly.
To prevent diseases, the bush is usually not sprayed, but the ground around it is weeded. This allows you to protect it from rot and some other diseases. Treatment with chemicals or folk substances is usually carried out if the disease is detected.
When a primrose bush grows, its root system grows greatly, and roots may appear on the surface of the ground. To prevent this from leading to the death of the bush, once a year it is worth adding a little soil under it, especially in the fall, before frost or during drought in the summer.
For the winter, the bushes need to be covered with a 10 cm layer of dry leaves to prevent them from freezing, although, in general, this is a winter-hardy plant - it is not afraid of frost.
Primroses are incredibly beautiful flowers growing in a small bush. They can often be seen in flower beds or in the decoration of stone slides and lawns. They are often used to decorate garden paths and places near ponds. Perennial primrose gets along well with irises, tulips, spiny phlox, and daffodils.
Primrose or primrose is a representative of the Primrose genus, growing mainly in Europe and Central Asia, as well as in the north of the African continent. Representatives of this genus have been cultivated for a very long time, and its number includes almost half a thousand species.
Since species and varietal diversity very large, then the stems, foliage and flowers also have their differences. There are both annual varieties and perennial plants.
Varieties and types
Or Stemless Although this plant has this name, it is very beautiful. The lanceolate foliage is quite long and stays on the stem for a very long time. The flowers are white or pale yellow, located on peduncles.
The flowers that appear in summer are colored in shades of scarlet and purple. Important feature is that at the end of flowering, the foliage of this species dies.
Mountain perennial species. It has slightly wrinkled foliage with fine teeth along the edges. The flowers are small, yellow, and form umbrella-shaped inflorescences. The peduncle can be either low or very high. Flowering occurs in mid-spring and lasts almost two months.
Or forest has oval, oblong, slightly wrinkled foliage up to 20 cm. The flowers are yellow with an orange spot, but there are many varieties whose colors have a variety of shades, and the flowers are not only simple, but also double.
Or auricula a plant with dense, leathery, lanceolate foliage edged with small teeth. The color of the flowers depends on the variety, since many hybrids have been created.
This species has tall bushes with long, strap-like leaves, as well as regular yellow flowers with large stamens.
Fine-toothed primrose or just gear It is characterized by spherical inflorescences, which consist of a large number of white, crimson or lilac tones, the size of which varies, depending on the variety, from half a centimeter to two and a half.
It does not have particularly large and attractive foliage, but that is not its highlight. The flowers of this plant are painted in pastel yellow-pink tones, which over time flow from one to another.
The main difference of this species is the lilac-colored inflorescence, which is located on a high peduncle. It has a spherical shape and does not look like the inflorescences of other representatives.
Above the leaf rosette, consisting of light green jagged leaves and lying on the ground, flower stalks rise high, decorated with umbrella flowers of soft lilac or violet tones.
Primrose planting and care in open ground
Disembarkation perennial species of this plant, obtained from seeds sown in pots, in open soil is carried out in spring or autumn, when the second year of their life begins. In spring, planting is best done at the end of the season.
Select a quiet, shaded area for planting. Only those species that are intended for rock gardens can be planted in the sun.
Small specimens should be planted at approximately 15 cm between specimens, large specimens at 25 cm. But do not make the gaps between the bushes too large; when they grow, they should fill the entire space between each other.
Soil for garden primrose
The soil for the crop should be selected that is breathable, light, and has drainage. A good option are clay soils, but make sure they are not very heavy.
In this case, you can dig it up with sand, manure and sphagnum. Otherwise, the composition for garden plants of this genus is not particularly important, and the desired acidity is neutral or slightly acidic.
Primrose watering
The area with the plant must be kept free of weeds, and the soil must also be regularly loosened so that the roots can breathe. This is usually done after watering.
The plant needs a sufficient amount of water, so when watering it, use about 3 liters per square meter plot, and in hot weather even more.
Feeding primrose in spring
Primrose also requires feeding. This should be done using complex mineral supplements, but dissolving them twice as much as indicated on the package.
Phosphate-nitrogen fertilizers are used. The application regime is once every 10 days from the appearance of foliage until flowering.
Primrose transplant
Caring for this crop also involves replanting it every 5 years. At the same time, it also reproduces by dividing the bush.
We will tell you more about this process in the reproduction section.
Primrose pruning
In general, this plant does not need pruning, but it is a good idea to remove flower stalks after the flowers have faded. It is better to leave the foliage after flowering; also, do not cut off the leaves that appear in the fall, as they will serve as shelter for the winter; if you cut off the foliage, the bush will weaken.
Primrose after wintering
In the fall, after flowering, the soil next to the plant is loosened and not touched again until winter. With the arrival of spring, the foliage that served as shelter must be removed.
If where you live is very cold in winter, then the bushes will need to be additionally covered with dry leaves. If the winter is not very cold, then you don’t need to make a shelter, because the flower will have enough of its leaves for insulation.
As the snow begins to melt, you need to be careful and, without delay, break the ice crust over the flowers so that they can breathe and the water can easily drain away, otherwise the shoots will die.
Primrose from seeds
If you use seeds, it is best to sow them in the soil in late autumn.
To obtain seedlings, the material is sown in containers in the spring, in ordinary nutrient soil, having previously been stratified for a couple of weeks.
The seed is kept in a greenhouse, periodically ventilated and moistened, and after it grows, it is cared for as an ordinary plant. The next year, planting in open ground is performed, described at the beginning of the last section.
Reproduction of primrose by dividing the bush
In addition to this method, the plant is propagated during transplantation by dividing the bush. 4-5 years after planting, when the crop has aged, wait until it finishes flowering, then remove it from the soil.
The roots are washed and divided so that each section has a leaf rosette. The cuts are sprinkled with ash and after this the material is immediately planted in the soil. It is better not to delay transplanting and dividing until the fall, since new individuals may not have time to take root before the cold weather.
Primrose propagation by cuttings
Another method of propagation is the use of root cuttings. To use it, thick roots are cut off, the top of which is slightly incised. After this, parts of the roots are planted to about 3 cm and looked after as an adult plant.
If the rhizome or leaf rosette is not yet sufficiently developed or weak, then division is undesirable. In this case, axillary shoots are used for propagation.
Primrose propagation by axillary shoots
Near the root, you need to remove the leaf with the petiole and part of the stem. The leaf is cut in half and then the cutting is placed in leaf soil mixed with coarse sand.
For rooting to go well, the cutting must be kept in good light, without direct exposure sun rays, and at temperatures up to 19°C. When stems with leaves form from the buds, the material can be transplanted into a separate container, and when it is warm enough outside, they can be planted in a flowerbed.
Diseases and pests
Sometimes primrose is affected by diseases and pests, most often this happens due to improper care behind the plant.
- A frequently asked question is poor seed germination . In general, the seeds do not germinate too badly, they just quickly lose their viability, especially in hot conditions. Seed quality may also play a role. To increase germination, you can pre-soak the seeds.
- If primrose withers , then there may be several reasons for this, but most often the reason is stagnation of water in the roots, which is why they begin to rot, or the roots were burned by growth stimulants. It is better to cut off the diseased parts and transplant the bush to another area, and disinfect this one with a fungicide. Another reason may be lack of moisture.
- If primrose foliage dries out and curls , then this is most likely due to sap-sucking pests such as aphids. Use insecticides to control them. Also, the leaves curl if there is insufficient watering.
- Spider mite , also feeds on plant juices and, in addition to this, it carries other diseases. To get rid of it, use acaricides.
- Weak stem growth And small leaves may be caused by pruning foliage after flowering.
- No flowering This is not a common occurrence and usually occurs due to excess nitrogen fertilizers.
- Another enemy of primrose is slugs that feed on its foliage. To protect yourself from them, sprinkle quicklime around the area. Slugs also do not tolerate any seasonings or dryness. In addition, you can use special drugs aimed at combating them.
The genus Primula includes about 500 species and belongs to the primrose family (Primulaceae). Most varieties of wild primrose can be found in temperate latitudes. They happily occupy meadow spaces and river banks. Rocky terrain is also suitable for primroses; more than 200 of their species live in the Himalayas.
The name of the genus comes from the word primus - Latin for first. The vast majority of species are garden perennial plants, and only a few representatives belong to subshrubs and evergreens. The cultural form of primrose has been mentioned for a long time; back in the Middle Ages it was widely used to decorate gardens. Some varieties (for example, P. vulgaris) have also gained recognition in the culinary industry.
Garden perennial primrose in floriculture
Any garden can boast of places where nothing grows normally. Such areas seem to be created for primroses. By selecting varieties that are undemanding to conditions, it is easy to refine problem areas. The most decorative among unpretentious primroses are the following types: tall, Japanese, fine-toothed, auricular. Primroses bloom from April to June, with some varieties blooming throughout the summer season.
Primroses are simply irreplaceable for decorating shady and swampy gardens. They are amazingly hardy, unpretentious, and look impressive both in single and group plantings.
These perennials have found application not only in gardens, they are widely used to decorate city parks and squares, as well as for landscaping local areas.
Main varieties and types, ordinary and ornamental
Perennial primroses are very diverse, let's look at the most common ones.
1. Ear. They appeared as a result of crossing two other primroses: P. Hirsuta and P. Auricula. They are distinguished by shiny, leathery evergreen leaves, above which an umbrella of beautiful flattened flowers rises. Among them there are three groups:
- alpine;
Alpine
- decorative;
Decorative
- borders.
Curb
2. Candelabra. Tall, multi-tiered, reaching up to 1 m in height. The name of these primroses perfectly reflects them appearance. Prefer moist shady places, many of them require shelter for the winter. The most famous:
- Japanese (P. japonica), one of those rare primroses that prefer the sun, height 45-50 cm.
Japanese
- Bulley (P. bulleyana).
- P. pulverulenta. It is distinguished by a white coating on the leaves.
- Harlow Carr are self-seeding and have bright, rich colors.
3. Fine-toothed (Denticulata). A short (about 30cm) Asian variety that tolerates Russian frosts well. Colorful flowers collected in round inflorescences crowning completely bare peduncles.
Plant propagation methods: by seeds and dividing the bush
Garden primrose is propagated both by seeds and by dividing the bush. Seeds are sown in boxes at the end of February, wrapped in film and placed in a cool place. At the end of March, the containers are transferred to a warm place and await germination. Young shoots should be protected from the sun. Seedlings are planted in the ground with the appearance of two true leaves 15-20 cm between the bushes.
Primrose seeds do not germinate well, so only fresh harvest seeds
The first flowers of primrose grown from seeds will appear only after 1-2 years. To obtain early flowering It is better to propagate primroses by dividing the bush. How this happens can be found in this article.
Features of planting and growing
Planting primrose is not difficult. She does not like bright sun and dry places. Flower growers are often interested in the question of when to plant a bush. Usually after three years the primrose grows greatly and loses decorative properties: inflorescences become small and lose their former splendor. Transplantation is carried out in early spring or in the second half of August by dividing the bush.
If you choose a cool day and evening time for work, then planting and replanting primroses can be done throughout the entire growing season.
Care
Primroses do not need special care if they are followed certain conditions. They love partial shade and thrive in fertile, slightly acidic or neutral soils. In the fall, you should not cut off the leaves - with them, the plants endure wintering easier, and evergreen varieties are perfectly preserved under the snow. In the spring, with the appearance of young shoots, old leaves can be carefully trimmed.
Watering
In bright, sunny places, primroses survive only in conditions of constant humidity. Even short-term drying out of the soil can lead to stopping flowering or death of plants.
To retain moisture at the roots, leaf humus is added to the soil during planting. At the same time, fluid stagnation is also undesirable. When watering plants, you must ensure that moisture does not get on the leaves. The Acaulis variety is the least demanding of soil moisture, while the most sensitive in this regard are the candelabra primroses.
Fertilizer
Heavy clay soils are not suitable for growing primroses, they are diluted with sand - one bucket per sq. m. Also suitable for these purposes are vermiculite, chopped sphagnum moss and complex organic fertilizers(up to 20 kg per sq.m.) If desired, the nutrient mixture can be completely replaced upper layer soil.
Organic fertilizer for the garden
In light, poor soils, organic types of fertilizers must be added at a rate of 15-20 kg per sq. m (5 kg of humus, 10 kg of leaf or compost soil, 5 kg of weathered peat). For abundant flowering, you can add 20 g of potassium and phosphorus and 15 g of nitrogen fertilizers. After this treatment, the soil will become sufficiently nutritious and retain the necessary moisture. What the Wisteria flower looks like can be seen in the photo in this
Video
The subtleties of caring for garden primrose are shown in more detail in the form below.
Disease and pest control
Primroses are quite hardy plants, but it cannot be said that they are completely disease-free. Most often, primroses are affected by the following diseases:
Downy mildew
On outside leaves form yellow-brown spots with a vague outline, and inner side covered with cobwebs. Moderate climate and high humidity create ideal conditions to spread the infection. To prevent false powdery mildew it is necessary to systematically remove weeds.
If the disease has already appeared, then severely damaged plants are removed from the flower garden, and the leaves of healthy primroses are treated with copper oxychloride. Seed treatment and mandatory crop rotation are also practiced.
Gray rot
This disease affects not only primrose leaves, but also flowers. They are covered with a velvety gray coating. The disease occurs and progresses under conditions of excess nitrogen and moisture in the soil. The infection remains on the affected areas of the plants and is carried by ants or water. To prevent the flower garden from becoming infected again, the parts affected by the disease are destroyed. And healthy flowers are periodically sprayed with Bordeaux mixture or copper oxychloride. Places of greatest concentration of ant carriers are watered with a solution of the Anteater preparation - 1 ml per 10 liters of water.
Gray rot of primrose
Powdery mildew
The outer side of the leaves is covered with a creamy-white coating, which is mycelium and spores. Gradually, mycelium fruiting bodies form on the affected areas - black dots that can overwinter on plant debris. Against powdery mildew, flowers are sprayed with the preparation “Cumulus” at the rate of 50-70 g per 10 liters of water. As an alternative, you can use a solution of colloidal sulfur - 50-100 g per 10 liters of water. Severely damaged plants are removed from the flower garden.
Leaf infection with powdery mildew
Ramulariasis
The disease appears as smooth yellowish spots on the leaves, which then change color to brownish-gray. A light coating of mycelium forms below the spots. Control methods: damaged areas of leaves are removed, the cleaned plant is treated with oxychloride.
Damage to a plant by ramulariasis
Pests
The main damage to primroses is caused by snails and slugs. There are special baits to get rid of them, but they are poisonous to pets and birds. If you have pets, it is better to collect pests by hand.
garden slug
In southern latitudes, primroses are threatened by another pest - the sulcata beetle, a member of the family of weevils. Mature individuals feed on leaves and lay larvae that live in the root system of the plant. Over time, the infected primrose dies. Harsh chemicals are used to combat this pest.
Sulcata beetle
Cold resistance, unpretentiousness and a long flowering period make primrose indispensable for cool and humid climates. Big variety perennial primroses will allow you to choose suitable variety for every corner of your garden. Primroses look spectacular in group plantings on lawns, in flower beds and garden vases, on rocky hills and in artificial reservoirs. Others can become good neighbors for cultivated primroses shade-loving plants: hosta, hydrangea, heuchera, bergenia, garden geranium, foxglove and other inhabitants of natural gardens.