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Moisture-Loving Primulas |
P. florindae, which looks very much like a giant cowslip,
has large heads of soft yellow flowers on two-and-a-half-foot
stems appearing from June onwards. P. helodoxa has many
whorls of rich golden-yellow bells, on strong two-and-a-half-
foot stems. P. japonica is one of the very best of all primulas
for damp soil and the waterside. It forms tufts of large, long
leaves, and has whorls of purplish-red flowers. Its variety
'Millers Crimson', which is clear red, is particularly fine, while
'Postford White' makes a splendid contrast. The japonica
hybrids are particularly showy, and take in many shades of
red and pink. If allowed to set seed and become self sown,
many interesting forms and colour tones will develop. P.
pulverulenta. is very similar in appearance to the japonica
varieties, but is distinguished by the farina or white powdered
stems. There are several new varieties, including 'Red Hugh'
bright crimson flowers on two-foot stems, during May and
June. It is, however, the Pulverlenta Bartley Strain which is
of such great attraction, since the hybrids take in many attrac-
tive shades, including salmon, rosy-pink, apricot and buff.
They are better than tiie type often reaching a height of three
feet, and continuing to show colour over a long period from
May onwards. P. sikkimensis is known as the Himalayan
Cowslip, and is found growing naturally in boggy conditions.
It forms rosettes of narrow leaves with stems up to two feet
high. These carry fragrant, nodding, rich yellow flowers
which are very long lasting, so that a group of these plants
are ornamental over a considerable period. P. veitchiana has
globular heads of rosy-pink flowers on twelve-inch stems. P.
viali, better known as P. littoniana, produces spikes of violet
blooms. P. watsonii is a comparatively new sort from Tibet,
its ruby-red flowers appearing on fifteen- to eighteen-inch
powdered stems.
The colour range and varying habit of growth, make the
moisture-loving primulas essential where suitable conditions
are available. While planting is often done in the autumn,- if
it can be carried out in the summer, the plants do gain a good
root hold before the advent of bad weather.
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