Primula 



( 235 ) 



Primula 



obconica to realise the high position the genus 

 really occupies in gardens. Besides the 136 

 species named in Index A'em-nsif, the ease with 

 which cross fertilisation is effected and the great 

 variation from seed have yielded many beautiful 

 varietal forms superior to the typical plants. Thus 

 sinensis has been improved almost beyond recog- 

 nition in form, size, and colour; while the free- 

 blooming obconica now yields most interesting 

 results, though its value is discounted to some 

 extent by the irritating effect contact with it has 

 upon a certain number of those who touch it. 

 Auricula, probably a hybrid itself, has for many 

 years been a favourite with specialists. Sieboldi 

 has also given many beautiful varieties, and among 

 the Alpine Primulas natural and artificially obtained 

 hybrids abound. Colour variation and selection 

 have greatly improved several of the Primulas, and 

 in this connection may be cited the improvements 

 in the colours of the Chinese Primula. The recent 

 appearance on the Continent of one with yellow 

 and white flowers foreshadows the achievement of 

 a good yellow Chinese Primula. The Stellata forms 

 are at present very popular on account of their 

 free habit and small flowers. 



Propagation. The propagation of all the hardy 

 species is effected by means of seeds, sown when 

 ripe or in spring, in pans of light soil, slightly 

 covered with fine earth, and placed in a frame or 

 cool greenhouse. A season is gained by sowing 

 when the seeds are ripe. When the seedlings 

 appear, which is at irregular intervals, they ought 

 to be shaded from strong sun, carefully watered, 

 anil given plenty of air. As soon as large enough 

 they should be pricked off about 2" apart into 

 other pans or a cold frame. They are also prop- 

 a^atrd by division after flowering, and many of 

 the Alpine species can only be kept alive if divided 

 regularly, Sinensis and obconica are raised from 

 MT.U sown in a gentle hotbed or in pans from 

 March to June in a compost of two parts of leaf 

 soil, one of loam, and one of silver sand, put 

 through a i" sieve. The seeds should be just 

 covered with very fine soil, carefully watered, and 

 covered with brown paper until the seedlings begin 

 to appear, when they should be gradually exposed 

 to the light, but not to the sun. Place the pots in 

 a temperature of 50 to 00, prick off the seedlings 

 when fit, and grow on in a rather lower temperature. 

 The old double white sinensis and other good 

 forms are propagated by cuttings taken in April 

 or May. 



Soil. The greater number of the hardy species 

 like a soil composed of loam, leaf soil, or peat, with 

 some sharp sand and grit intermingled. Some, 

 however, like a moist, peaty soil. The Chinese and 

 other tender Primulas should have their final shift 

 into a compost of about two parts of good loam to 

 one part eacli of leaf mould and well-rotted cow 

 manure, with some sharp sand. 



Other Cultural Points. The hardy species require 

 the >ame attention as other Alpine plants, though 

 some are very troublesome to grow. Many prefer 

 shade, though less is needed if plenty of water is 

 given and they are in a somewhat retentive but 

 well-drained soil. Japonica does well in either a 

 moist, peaty soil, or in a heavy loam. Sieboldi, 

 when grown outside, is easily destroyed in winter 

 through the crowns being under the surface, 

 and the places where the plants are ought always 

 to be marked with a good stout peg. It is a fine 

 plant for a cool house. Sinensis should have a 

 temperature of 50" to 55 when in bloom in winter 



or spring, but the double varieties prefer one a 



little higher. All require to be kept near the glass 

 in a light and well-ventilated house. Obconica 

 will bear a rather lower temperature. Careful 

 potting is needed, so that the crowns are neither 

 in a hollow nor too high above the soil. 



Principal Species, Hybrids, and Varieties : 



[NOTE. All are hardy save where otherwise 

 stated.] 



acaulis (see vulgaris). officinalis, 4" to 12", spr., 



Auricula, 3" to 6", spr., yel.; several forms and 



various (see Auricula). colours (*yn. veris). 



cortusoides, 6" to 10", Cowslip. 



sum., ro. rosea, 4" to 6", spr., rosy 



denticulata, 8" to 12", car.: moist soil. 



spr., lil. grandiflora, ) largerand 



alba, wh. superba, j brighter. 



cashmeriana, under sikkimensis, IJ" to 2', 

 surface of Ivs. pale pur. sum., best as bieii., 

 with golden farina. yel. ; moist soil. 



pulcherrima, deep lil. Sieboldi, 8" to 12", Ap., 



variegata, Ivs. bordered ro., wh. ('.'/ grandi- 

 with wh. flora, see Selections). 



elatior, 1', Ap., yel., sineusis, 9", spr., grh., 



various forms. Oxlip. wh.,lil. (sy. pranitens, 



floribunda, 4" to 8", spr., ?e Selections). Chinese 



grh., yel. Primrose. 



graiidiftora. variabilis (see Poly an thus). 



isabellina, pale yel. verticillata, 1' to IJ', 

 japonica, 1' to IJ', spr., spr., grh., yel. 



varying red, wh., pk., veris (see officinalis). 



pur. viscosa, 2" to 4", sum., 



splendens, crim. rosy pur., eye wh. (/. 

 kewensis, 9" to 15", spr., villosa). Goodvars. are 



yel. hybrid (verticil- ciliata, larger flowers; 



lata X* floribunda, see commutata, ro. ; con- 



p. 234). finis, deep ro.; decora, 



margiuata, 2" to 4", Ap., rosy pur. (syn. decora) ; 



vio. ro. ; several vars., iberica, lil. ; latifolia, 



caTidea, grandiflora, vio.; Nelsoni.pale pur. ; 



and major are good. pedemontana, rosy 



minima, IJ", sum., ro. or pur. ; and purpurea, 



wh. crim. pur. 



obconica, 6" to 12", spr., vulgaris, 3", spr., yel. ; 



grh., lil.; many seedling many garden forms and 



vars. are better than the colours (syii. acaulis, 



type (syn. poculi- see Selections). Com - 



fonnis). mon Primrose. 



Other Species, Hybrids, and Varieties: 



admontensis, 3" to 6", bella, sum., hlf-hdy., vio. 



My., lil., hybrid (HI/IIS. pur. 



Churchilli and clusiaua Berninoc, Ap., rosy pur., 



dentata). hybrid, 



algida, 3" to6", spr., pur. biflora, 1", spr., ro., 



Allionii, 4" to 6", Ap., hybrid. 



mauve, eye wh. blattariformis, 8" to 12", 



alpina, 4" to 8", My., grh., lil. 



vio. pur., hybrid (.<///;*. bracteata, Mch., hlf-hdy. 



intermedia of gardens or grh., yel. 



and rha^tica). bullata, Ap., hlf-hdy. or 



altaica, 3" to 6", spr., grh., yel. 



mauve. calliautha, Je.. hlf-hdy. or 



amethystina, Je., grh., grh., vio. pur. 



red, pur. calyciua, My., pur. (syn. 



Arctotis, spr., wh. or lil., glaucescens). 



pur., hybrid. capitata, 6" to 9", Ap., 



hybrida, various. hdy. or frame, vio., 61. 

 Auricula bellunensis, 6" carnioliea, 3" to 5", Ap.. 



to 9", My., yel. 61. (/. Freyeri and 



dolomitica, 3" to 6", jellenkiana). 



lemon yel. multiceps, larger, 



auriculata, 4", sum., pur., darker flowers. 



wh. eye (syn. longifolia cernua, Jy., hlf-hdy., 61. 



of Botanical Magazine or pur. 



392). clusiana, 6" to 9 , Ap., 



Bal6isii, My., yd. (syn. ro. 



Auricula Balbisii). 



