Gardening for Amateurs 



747 



Polygala. (See Hard-wooded Plants.) 

 Primula. The genus Primula is an ex- 

 tensive one, and many members are of very 

 great service for greenhouse decoration. 

 The Chinese Primula sinensis has long been 

 a popular plant, and to-day it is grown more 

 extensively than ever. It has given rise to 

 a large number of forms showing a wide 

 range of colour and other distinctive char- 

 acteristics. Those usually termed Florists' 

 varieties are of sturdy habit of growth, with 

 large, well-formed flowers, in many cases 

 much crimped at the margins. Most Chinese 

 Primulas are readily raised from seed, the 

 old very double flowers which it was necessary 

 to increase by means of cuttings or layers 

 having almost fallen out of cultivation. 

 Primula sinensis has given us quite a distinct 

 race in what are usually termed Star Primu- 

 las, sometimes referred to as Primula stellata. 

 These are taller in growth and produce their 

 flowers throughout a long season. Well- 



blossomed plants of this type are altogether 

 lighter and more graceful than those of the 

 Florists' forms. Varieties of Primula sinen- 

 sis flower from late autumn until spring, and 

 to obtain a succession seeds may be sown 

 from early June until the end of July. The 

 plants thrive in a frame until the nights 

 become cold, when they are brought into the 

 greenhouse. A mixture of two-thirds loam 

 to one-third leaf-mould and a liberal sprink- 

 ling of sand forms a suitable compost. Pots 

 5 inches in diameter are large enough. In 

 all stages of growth these Primulas need 

 careful watering, for drought or an excess 

 of water proves equally injurious. 



Another Primula of far more recent in- 

 troduction than P. sinensis, and bidding fair 

 to rival it in popularity, is Primula obconica, 

 which, when first known to us some 30 years 

 ago, was a poor small, lilac-coloured flower. 

 By a gradual process of selection a race has 

 been obtained with large flowers, varying 



Primula obconica, invaluable for an amateur's greenhouse. 



