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- Moisture-Loving Primulas |
A very large number of differing species have originated
from the continent of Asia, and for convenience, are usually
referred to as Asiatic Primulas. Since these come from the
mountainous regions of the Himalayas, where there is so much
moisture, it is obvious that they come under the heading of
bog primulas. Another feature of some of these species, is
their cylindrical tap roots, which in certain cases, go down ten
or twelve inches before they divide or make the mass of root
hairs which all primulas have.
There appears to be renewed interest in primulas of all
types, and although we cannot by any means cultivate a large
number of species in all the groups, provided suitable soil is
available, it will be well worth while growing a selection of
the Asiatic types. One has only to think of the interest shown
by the public at the Chelsea Flower Show and other big exhi-
bitions, to realise that bog primulas are popular.
Most of us for space consideration alone, will have to restrict
our range, but there are a number which should be included,
both because they are well known, and because they present
no difficulties in the way of cultivation and propagation. Most
of them can be increased by careful division of mature plants,
while in many cases, they are easy to raise from seeds. Since
the seed is small, very thin and shallow sowings must be
practised.
Many of the Asiatic Primulas belong to the Candelabra sec-
tion and produce their flowers arranged in whorls, placed at
regular intervals up the stems, which in some cases are two
and a half to three feet high. P. alpicola is a native of Tibet,
and has light yellow drooping flowers on two-foot stems.
P. beesiana has scented, rosy-carmine flowers from May to
July. Growing about two feet high, it will often set seed
freely, although the self-sown seedlings are liable to vary in
colour and habit. P. bulleyana from China, also has stems of
two feet, which are clothed with rich orange blooms. P.
burmani is a strong-growing species, bearing crimson-purple
flowers. P. chionantha has powdered stems of white flowers.
P. denticulata is a well-known Himalayan species, which
although capable of growing up to twenty-four inches, is more
often seen growing twelve inches high. From March on-
wards, the lavender-lilac flowers appear at the top of stout
stems in globular clusters, which no doubt is the reason for
this species being known as the Drumstick Primula. It is
sometimes known as P. cashmeriana, although many
authorities think that the latter is a separate species, since there
is sometimes a difference in the colour. There is also a white
form.
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