PRIMULA 



1429 



Royal Hort. S..r 

 roses, Gn. 16, pp 

 Un. 41, pp. 580-582; 

 (P.W.Meyer); Prii 

 p. 325, et seq. (K. L 

 CEnothera. 



14-:. 



The genus Primula contains many charming and 

 beautiful species; they not only brighten our gardens in 

 spring and summer, but all through the winter we 

 can enjov the blossoms of many showy species in our 

 greenhouses. There are many species that can not be 



-.V-r 



volved in obscurity, although some think it is a cross 

 between the primrose and the cowslip. It is a favorite 

 garden plant and deserves to be so. Its flowers have 

 charmingly rich colors. They are most generally used 

 as spring bedding plants. When used in this way they 

 ought to be planted in beds where they are partially 

 shaded during the hottest part of the day and a liberal 

 supply of water given to them, as they are very im- 

 patient of drought. When they are through blossom- 

 ing they may be removed from the bods, to make room 

 for summer bedding pKint^s. to «ninr. iiioitt shady place 

 where they can remain until f:ill. They are then 



divided and planted in .cliMr, '^ r,.i- the winter. 



In spring they are transiihintcii ii^.m tln-rc to the beds 

 again. In sheltered parts of tlif r.n'k ^'arden they can 

 be grown successfully. They take kindly to pot culture, 

 and matiy of them are grown in this way 



decorate 





1951. Primula Sinensis 



grown in the North, owing to the cold winters and dry, 

 hot summers with which we have to contend. Neverthe- 

 less, with some care a large number of choice species can 

 be grown. There are some which grow luxuriantly out 

 of doors; others can be grown in coklframes with a 

 northern aspect ; and a large nutiiber are some of our 

 showiest greenhouse plants for winter decoration. 

 The spfcics of Primula are gonr-rallv rai^-r-d from 



conservatories in spring. Of late years the Primrose 

 and polyanthus have been forced in spring by florists 

 for cut-ilowers, those with fine yellow blossoms being 

 most in demand. The polyanthus can be raised from 

 seed, but some of the fine varieties are best propagated 

 by division. 



The common auricula, P. Auricula, is best grown in 



of i 



light soil, with partial shade, and a slight protection 

 of dry leaves or meadow hay In winter. It is easily raised 

 from seed. A pood strain is important, if some of the 

 very best varieties are to be obtained. The cowslip, 

 P. officinalis, and the oxlip, P. elalior, grow under the 

 same conditions as the above. The polyanthus has 

 been in cultivation for many years, yet its origin is in- 



blossoms very early in spring, and requires slight pro- 

 tection and a warm position. There are many varieties 

 of this plant. P. farinosa is a beautiful native plant 

 requiring a stiff loam and a damp situation with shade 

 during the warmest part of the day. P. dentictilata 

 comes from the Himalayan Mountains and is quite hardy 

 in the rock garden, grown in a moist, deep, rich, loamy 



