PRIMULAS (PRIMROSES). 171 



Japonica. — One of the grandest of the Primulas, 

 producing tall stems of bloom in whorls, ranging in 

 colour from rose to purple. There are, however, 

 several distinct varieties of it, such as carminea^ carmine; 

 salmonea, reddish salmon ; and sanguinea or splendens, 

 bright crimson. The Japanese Primrose is easily raised 

 from seed. It thrives in moist peaty soil in a cool damp 

 place near the base of rockwork. 



Littoniana, a new Chinese species (see photograph), 

 flowers in pyramidal heads, stems 12 to 18 inches 

 high, colour lilac to purple, with red calyx. 



Longiflora, an Alpine species growing a foot high or 

 a little more, and bearing purplish flowers in May 

 with mealy calyx, resembles the Bird's Eye Primrose 

 both in character and requirements. It is shown in 

 one of the coloured plates with Gentiana Clusii. 



MarginatUy an Alpine species only growing a few 

 inches high, blooms in April, when it produces charming, 

 perfumed, rosy crimson flowers. It gets its name from 

 the silvery margin of the leaf. It likes a loamy soil 

 with stone chippings. There are several varieties. 



Minima is a pretty Httle European Alpine, with rosy 

 flowers only an inch or two above the ground. It 

 appears in one of the coloured plates in association 

 with Soldanella pusilla. Although very dwarf it has 

 large flowers, which it produces in summer. It should 

 be grown in a sunny spot, and well watered in dry 

 weather in summer. 



Pulverulenta is a handsome and striking Primrose. 

 It bears a considerable resemblance to Japonica, and 

 when it becomes abundant may be chosen by some 



