PRIMULA 



(From the low Latin primula, diminutive of primus, first, because of early blooming) 

 Primuldcea 



153. Primula Polyantha, vars. {Polyanthus; P. eldtior) 

 English Names: English Primrose, Cowslip, Oxlip. 



HORTICULTURAL VARIETY APRIL TO MID-MAY 



SHOWY flowers about an inch wide, of various shades of yellow, and 

 dark red and yellow mixed, borne several in a cluster on upright 

 stems rising above the leaves to a height of six to twelve inches. Leaves 

 in a rosette at the base 

 of the plant, rather long 

 and thick, rounded-oval, 

 bright green, handsome, 

 and persistent. Excel- 

 lent as an edging for the 

 herbaceous border on 

 account of the richness of 

 coloring of the flowers 

 and the attractive foliage. 

 Good also for cutting. 



A hardy perennial of 

 easy culture in rich, some- 

 what moist soil, in shadeor 

 partial shade. Should be 

 protected by a light cover- 

 ing of leaves in winter and 

 divided every three years. 



Propagate by seed or 

 by division immediately 

 after flowering. 



The origin of P. Poly- 

 antha is much debated; it is 

 perhaps a cross between P. 

 vulgaris and P. officinalis or 

 P. eldtior, perhaps directly 

 derived from P. eldtior or 

 from P. vulgdris. 



The so-called ^^Munstead strain'^ is a fine, large variety. There is also an 

 interesting and pretty variety known as duplex (or Hose-in-hose), in which there 

 is one complete flower inside another. 



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