Part II. PRIMULA. 285 



PEIMULA DENTICULATA.— 2?««^zV2</a/^rf Primrose. 



A Himalayan species, with neat dense umbels of many small 

 bright lilac flowers, on stalks from eight inches to a foot high, 

 springing from oblong-lanceolate toothed leaves, hairy on both 

 sides, but densely so beneath, by which it is distinguished from 

 its relative, P. erosa. It is often grown in pots, but is perfectly 

 hardy on rockwork in deep rich hght loam with a dry bottom, 

 selecting a position sheltered on the coldest sides by stones or 

 other plants. It succeeds as a border-plant in some districts on 

 well-drained light loams. When grown in pots, it may be brought 

 into flower about six weeks earlier than it usually flowers (April 

 and May), and this is the chief reason for growing it in pots, 

 except where it cannot be grown in the open air. Propagated by 

 division or by seeds. Although hardy, the leaves are injured 

 by the first sharp frosts, so that it is well to keep it in well-drained 

 warm positions. There is a handsome dwarf variety known as 

 P. denticulata nana. 



PRIMULA EROSA. — Himalayan Primrose. 



An interesting kind, occasionally grown about London in pots, 

 and sometimes under the name ol P. Fortunei, with shining 

 leaves, quite smooth, and sometimes quite powdery, which, with its 

 smoothness, distinguishes it at a glance from P. denticulata. The 

 purplish blossoms with yellow eyes in flattish heads expand in 

 early spring, and are borne on stems usually very mealy. . Drs. 

 Hooker and Thompson noticed it blooming at great elevations 

 among the snow on the Himalayas, and, as might be expected 

 from this, it is quite hardy in this country, and the true way to 

 enjoy its beauty is to place it in a sunny but sheltered nook on 

 rockwork, in deep sandy loam, lightened with peat and leaf- 

 mould, and with the drainage perfect. It should never be allowed 

 to suffer from drought in summer. 



PRI]VnjLA FARING SA. — Bird's-eye Primrose. 



Slender powdery stems, from three to twelve inches high, 

 springing from rosettes of musk-scented leaves, with their under- 

 sides clothed with a silvery-looking meal, bear the graceful lilac- 

 purple flowers of the Bird's-eye Primula. No sweeter flower 

 holds its head up to kiss the breeze that rustles over the elevated 



