for Janitfiry, 1920 



401 



Descriptive List of Hardy and Semi-Hardy Primulas 



HENRY J. MOORE 



LITTLE, if any, systematic experimenting has been 

 done with the hardy and semi-hardy species and 

 varieties of the Primula in the United States and 

 Canada. Perhaps this is on account of the supposition 

 that few of them are hardy enough to withstand tlie rigor- 

 ous winters. \'ery few are entire!}' hardy as (hsclosed 

 by the test of the following kinds, all of which have been 

 grown for at least two seasons in the Queen \'ictoria 

 Park, at Niagara Falls. Many beautiful kinds, however, 

 are with a little protection so hardy that they survive the 

 winters jiractically unharmed, and in Spring furnish a 

 displav which well repays for any labor devoted to their 

 culture. 



Generally speaking the plants in the following list 

 merit the attention of all who are interested in spring 

 gardening. As botanical descriptions would be of little 

 use to horticulturists, the subjects are described almost 

 purely from a horticultural standpoint. 



1. Friiiiiila auricula varieties (The Auricula). — There are 

 many beautiful varieties of P. auricula, some of them almost 

 hardy. They are divided into classes according to some dis- 

 tinctive flower character, the principal being the grey edged, 

 white edged, green edged, selfs and .\lpines. In these classes 

 the varieties are named and standardized. Many of the plants 

 survive our winters with a protectioii of leaves or litter, and 

 are unique for the herbaceous border. If potted in a mixture 

 of one part of loam, leaf soil, rotted cow manure and coarse 

 sand, with a little broken charcoal, and wintered in protected 

 cold frames, the plants make splendid flowering subjects for 

 the cool greenhouse during Spring. 



2. Primula cortusoidcs. — The deep rose colored flowers of this 

 species are borne well above the foliage to a height of fifteen 

 inches. The leaf stalks and undersides of the leaves are hairy. 

 Several flowering stems are produced at the same time. The 

 plant is an excellent and graceful subject for semi-shady nooks 

 in the border where it requires a light sandy soil with plenty 

 of humus. It is hardy with slight protection. The flowering 

 period is from May IS till July. 



3. Primula cortusoidcs, var. Sicboldii. — The varieties which 

 have originated from P. cortusoidcs are most beautiful subjects 

 for the shady border. They are hardy and require protection 

 only in zero temperatures. A fairly moist light soil is necessary 

 to their welfare. Their flowering period is approximately May 

 20 until June 30. The variety Sicboldii and its hybrids should 

 be grown in every garden. 



Queen of Roses, a plant with deep rose pink flowers, um- 

 bellate, about nine flowers to the stem, which reaches a height 

 of twelve inches, several stems being produced. The foliage is 

 of a medium green. 



Maiden's Blush — The flowers are white suft'used with rose, and 

 twelve inches high. 



Sirius — The large white flowers of this variety are from one 

 to one and a half inches in 'diameter (as are the two fore- 

 mentioned ones). The foliage is of a light green. Cortusoidcs 

 and its varieties are all excellent for pot culture. 



4. Primula capitata. — A plant with flowers of a deep violet 

 blue, arranged densely in globular heads, which attain a height 

 of about nine inches. The flowering stems arc covered with a 

 white powder. The leaves are wrinkled and toothed, and arc 

 powdered on the under side. The flowering season is from May 

 till July. .\ semi-shady, fairly dry position is necessary. The 

 plant is liettcr adapted to the rock garden than elsewhere, where 

 it must be protected during winter. If grown in a cold frame 

 and flowered in a cool greenliouse, it makes a charming poi 

 plant. The flowers muf: i,^ ihr.ded from the sun. 



5. Primula doiliculata rosea. — This beautiful variety shoulil 

 be generally grown. The flowers are rose purple with a yellow 

 €ye. The inflorescences which sometimes contain more than fifty 

 flowers are dense and globular, and are in flower from ."Vpril 

 13th till May 26th. The plants are excellent for planting during 

 Fall in beds or borders, where Spring flowers are required. If 

 planted nine inches apart, the bed will be as distinctive as a bed 

 of Hvacinths, which at a short distance the flowers resemble. 



The plants may be substituted for bulbs or be used in conjunc- 

 tion with them. A soil containing much leaf soil is excellent 

 for their culture. The leaves arc hairy, are covered with a white 

 powder, and are coarsely wrinkled and toothed. The flowering 

 stems attain a height of nine to twelve inches. 



6. Primula drnticulata alba. — A white flowered form of the 

 above similar in all respects except in color of flowers, and of 

 leaves which are a paler green. The plants may be used to 

 furnish a bed of white flowers for Spring flowering or be mi.xcd 

 with the variety rosea. 



7. Primula dciiticnlata cashmcriana. — This variety requires 

 somewhat different cultural treatment than the two foremcntioned 

 ones. It should he planted in a light soil in a somewhat raised 

 position, so that its crowns will be well above water which in 

 spring may collect, otherwise they will rot. A moderately sunny 

 position is necessary. The plant flowers from April 18th until 

 May 20th. The flowers are light purple with a yellow eye, and 

 about twelve inches high. The undersides of the leaves are 

 covered with a beautiful golden colored dust. The inflorescence 

 is an umbel similar to the other varieties. Not being entirely 

 hardy a protection of litter must during winter be afforded. 



8. Primula clatter (The Oxlip). — This perfectly hardy plant 

 is a cross between the English Primrose, P. 7'ulgaris, and the 

 Cowslip, P. officinalis. The flowers are pale yellow and are 

 horizontal or drooping on their stems. They are at their best 

 from April 15th until May 15th. They reach a height of nine to 

 twelve inches. The petioles of the leaves are somewhat winged. 

 The plants are very useful for planting out in beds or borders 

 during autumn for spring flowering. It is best to afford a light 

 covering after planting. As a carpeting plant for beds of tall 

 bulbous plants, it is good, and should be more generally used. 

 May be propagated by division, or raised from seeds. 



9. Primula frondosa. — A little alpine species with purple 

 flowers. The stems and leaves are covered with a white powder. 

 In height it is only four to six inches. It requires a semi-shady 

 spot, with some protection during winter. It flowers from May 

 4th till the 26th. The plant is especially adapted to the rock 

 garden. 



10. Primula japonica varieties (Japanese Primroses). — Plants 

 equally desirable for outdoor or indoor culture. The following 

 varieties are all hardy and of great value. They are perhaps 

 the best of the genus for associating with aquatic plants, as 

 they are entirely at home along the margins of pools or streams, 

 if planted in positions where the roots are above the water line. 

 In a semi-shad}' position in the herbaceous border where a deep, 

 rich and moist soil pertains, they flower splendidly, and over a 

 considerable period, namely. May 30th until July 15th. The 

 plants are easily raised if the seed is sown as soon as ripe. 



Rose Queen. — A variety with handsimie rose pink flowers, 

 about eighteen inches high. 



Blush Beauty. — The flowers are a delicate blush white. 



Splendens. — .-V plant with large fiery crimson flowers. The tall- 

 est variety, reaching a height of twenty-four inches. .^ most 

 magnificent hardy Primula. 



11. Primula ofUciiwHs (The Cowslip). — .\ hardy plant. The 

 flowers of which are pale yellow, more or less drooping from 

 their stems. The hei.ght is various, usually from nine to fifteen 

 inches. This species is interesting as being one of the supposed 

 pareiUs of the Oxlip. 



12. I'rimula pulvcrulcnla. — .A half hardy perrenial, which has 

 large handsome purple maroon flowers, borne in tiers on long 

 stems, after the manner of P. japoiiica. The leaves are dark 

 green, nine inches Icng. and are wrinkled and toothed. The 

 species is excellent for border positions, in sheltered localities 

 where it will probably survive with a covering of litter. .\s a 

 pot plant for greenhouses with intermediate temperature, it is 

 excellent and its color renders it valuable. In very cold localities 

 it is belter to carry the plants over in cold frames, than to sub- 

 ject them to the winter with chances of failure. 



13. Primula z-eitchii. — A new half hardy perennial species of 

 Chinese origin. The flowers are of a beautiful rose purple color, 

 and are borne in umbels. The several stems reach a height of 

 about twelve inches. It is best to winter the plant in frames. 

 The leaves are hairy and somewhat palmate in shape. \ greater 

 percentage of plants will germinate if the seeds are sown as 

 soon as ripe. The flowering period is from May 29lh till July 1st. 



