For April, 192: 



541 



Hardy Primroses 



RICHARD ROTHE 



THE overwhelming majority of our advanced garden 

 and flower lovers know and like hardy primroses. 

 There is no lack of appreciation of the charm of 

 the Engh'sh cowslips. Primula vulgaris, and the oxlips. 

 Primula elatior, enlivening the floral Spring aspect of 

 woodland and meadow abroad. Indigenous in Europe 

 and temperate Asia, frequently abounding within moun- 



I'runiila dcnticulala i^raiidiHora 



tainous regions of high altitude, with scarcely any species 

 of the genus Primula as native of our northern hemi- 

 sphere existing, we must look at them as foreigners re- 

 quiring congenial climate and suitable exposures for per- 

 fect development. Hardy primroses, as a rule, do very 

 well in New England gardens and all along our northern 

 border line. In the Middle Atlantic states we usually 

 succeed if we give nnr plantations light shade dnrinL; 



Primula elatior Intca 



the midday and early afternoon hours. Most species 

 prefer a more or less moist situation and, for that rea- 

 son, thrive remarkably well along the waterline of brook 

 and pond. If the banks happen to be high and slopy 

 it is best to avoid the south and southwestern inclines. 

 Exposed to the full force of our mid-Summer sun the 

 foliage suffers, tlie growth stops and with stunted plan- 



tations we are going to have inferior flowers the fol- 

 lowing Spring. Planted in light loamy soil, the beds 

 well enriched. Primulas do not need more than average 

 care. They are easily raised from seed sown under glass 

 in Spring. Old plants may be divided in mid-Summer. 

 For Winter protection we use old manure or leaves. 



When studying the achievements of the European 

 hybridizers in improving hardy primroses, noteworthy 

 are those on the elatior and acaulis types, we can hardly 

 refrain from growing envious. It is not alone the re- 

 markable size and the clear and vivid colors, but also, 

 the great abundance of flowers produced during a period 

 i)f over a month and a half, which we are forced to 

 r.dmire. ISoth tvpes run in white, yellow and in various 

 shades and combinations of red. As an exception I 

 mention Primula acaulis corrulca, a clear blue variety. 

 In my estimation the single forms appear preferable to 

 the doubles. .Artistic amateurs treasure Primula elatior 

 I'-itca and alba very highly for choice vernal color arrays, 

 l)oth for garden ani rockery. The same popularity is 

 shared by Primula Sicboldi, a species from Japan and 



X--. 





Primula auricula 



the Transbaikal regions, with new garden forms appear- 

 ing in white, pink and purple. Equally eiifective are the 

 llowers of Primula J'eitchii, a native of China, distin- 

 guished by their deep rose color and yellow center. 



Well do all my older readers remember that old- 

 fashioned, sweetly scented garden favorite, Primula auri- 

 cula. Today, European catalogs invite us to get ac- 

 i|uainted and enjoy the results of a half a century's 

 -electing and sifting of the very best in color, and other- 

 wise perfected by scientific plant-breeders. The Luiker 

 and, for size of the flowers, more so the gigantea strain 

 I if the species Primula auricula contains combinations of 

 rich velvety shades and tints never seen before. Our 

 picture originated on Mount Desert Island, Maine. If 

 nothing more it bespeaks the splendid possibilities of 

 northern plantsmen for the growing and cultivating of 

 hardy primroses. 



Of the section distinguished by densely-set round or 



globular flower heads, Primula capitata, hailing from the 



Himalaya, and Primula caslnncria)ia- have been always 



classed among the rather rare and choice things in gar- 



(Co-ntiiiurd on page 543) 



