PRIMULA. 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



PRIMULA. 



739 



in raised positions in the rock-garden. 

 The roots creep just below the surface, 

 and form eyes from which any variety can 

 be easily propagated. P. Sieboldi is a 

 hardy herbaceous perennial, which loses its 

 leaves in autumn and winter, when it goes 

 to rest, and breaks up again early in spring. 



P. sikkimensis. This is ' a robust 

 species, deciduous or herbaceous in our 

 climate, and quite distinct from all other 

 sorts. It throws up strong flower-stems, 

 15 to 24 in. high, bearing numerous bell- 

 shaped flowers of a pale yellow, with 

 mealy pedicels, and having a peculiar but 

 agreeable perfume. Some of the stems 

 bear a head of more than five dozen buds j 

 and flowers, and each flower is nearly I 

 in. long and more than \ in. across. P. 

 sikkimensis starts into growth in April or 

 early in May, and should have a shady 

 position when in bloom, as its delicate 

 blossoms suffer from cutting winds 

 and bright sunshine. Blossoming in 

 May, it remains in flower many weeks. I 

 It is hardy, and loves deep, well-drained, j 

 and moist ground ; but spots in the lower 

 parts of the rock-garden near water, or 

 situations in deep boggy places, suit it 

 best. It is readily increased, either by j 

 seeds sown in summer as soon as they are 

 ripe, or by careful division in spring 

 or autumn. This Primrose is said to be j 

 the pride of all the Primroses of the | 

 mountains of India, inhabiting wet boggy i 

 localities at elevations of from 12,000 to 

 1 7,000 ft., and covering acres of ground ! 

 with its yellow flowers. 



P. Stuarti (Stuarfs Primrose}. A 

 noble and vigorous yellow Primrose, 

 about 1 6 in. high. It has leaves nearly I 

 ft. long, and many-flowered umbels. A 

 light deep soil, never allowed to get dry 

 in summer, suits it well ; but the most 

 suitable place for it is some perfectly- 

 drained and sheltered slightly elevated 

 spot in the rock-garden. It may be 

 planted against the base of rocks, to 

 shelter it from cutting winds, though, 

 when sufficiently plentiful, this precaution 

 is unnecessary. Mountains of India. 



P. villosa. A lovely little Primrose, 

 and one of the oldest cultivated. It is 

 known by dark green obovate or sub- 

 orbicular leaves. These leaves have close- 

 set teeth, and are covered with glandular 

 hairs, and are viscid on both sides. Its 

 flower-stems, also viscid, barely elevate 

 the sweet blooms above the foliage. It 

 is well adapted for the rock-garden, in 

 which it may be grown in any position, 

 but it requires light peaty or spongy loam, 

 about one-half being fine sand, and its 

 roots should be kept moist during the 



dry season. It is easily increased by 

 division, and may be raised from seed. 

 Varieties are sometimes, but rarely, found 

 with white flowers. It is sometimes 

 grown under the name of P. viscosa. 

 The variety nivea or nivalis is a beauti- 

 ful plant, dwarf and neat in growth, 

 producing trusses of lovely white flowers, 

 which are quite distinct from any other 

 in cultivation. It is of very easy culture, 

 and may be grown either in pots or in 

 the open ground. It deserves a select 

 position in the rock-garden or in the 

 border, a light free soil, and plenty of 

 water during the warm season. It flowers 

 in April and May. Alps. Similar to P. 

 villosa are P. ciliata, Steini, hirsuta, 

 pubescens, rh?etica, pedemontana, 

 cenensis, and Dinyana, charming little 

 species from the Alps. All thrive under 

 the same conditions as P. villosa. 



P. vulgaris (Common Primrose]. Of 

 all the Primula family none excel our 

 native Primroses in loveliness, and they 

 are the earliest of all to flower. The 

 Gentians and dwarf Primulas do no more 

 for the Alps than these charming wild 

 flowers do for our hedgerows, banks, 

 groves, open woods, and the borders of 

 our fields and streams. In some places 

 the Common Primrose varies a good deal 

 in colour. Some of the prettiest of the 

 wild varieties are worthy of being in- 

 troduced into shrubberies and semi-wild 

 places ; and so long as lovely colour and 

 fragrance are esteemed in the spring 

 flower garden, some of the more distinctly 

 toned varieties should be sought after. 

 Varied hues of yellow, red, rose, lilac, 

 bluish-violet, lilac-rose, and white have 

 already been raised, and if the good 

 single varieties become popular, striking 

 and desirable variations from the 

 commoner types will be much more 

 likely to be preserved. For shrubberies 

 and woodland walks, single varieties will 

 always prove more useful than the old 

 double kinds, because more vigorous and 

 more easily increased. All the varieties 

 are readily increased by division of the 

 offsets, or by seeds, which are produced 

 in abundance. In woods and shrubberies 

 the plants will take care of themselves, a 

 quality which adds to their charms ; but 

 in the flower garden some system of 

 culture must be pursued. The following 

 very simple one will secure the best 

 results, both as to the production of 

 vigorous free-blooming plants and an 

 abundant stock. In autumn, after the 

 summer occupants of the flower-beds are 

 faded and removed, the Primroses and 

 other spring flowers are planted in beds 

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