Culture 
Primroses, like other perennials, thrive when put in approximately 
the right situation, in a soil that is well drained and rich in humus 
and organic plant food. They need less sun and more water than 
most perennials. Neutral or slightly acid soil is always preferable 
to alkaline. 
Plant Foods—Plant your Primroses with the previously described 
situations in mind in deeply dug, well drained garden soil which has 
had leaf mold, well rotted manure, compost or like material thor- 
oughly worked into it. Old horse manure is one of the best and 
lightens a too-heavy soil. Cow manure binds a thin soil. Blues need 
an acid soil, alkalinity adversely affecting the color. 
Planting—Polyanthus, Acaulis, Doubles and Auriculas should be 
planted about a foot apart; Julianas may have less space; large 
Asiatics about 18 inches. 
Plants shipped long distances usually arrive with leaves crisp and 
flowers fresh. Before planting, shake out the roots and, if the 
weather is hot or windy, remove all large older leaves leaving only 
the smaller young ones. Plant fairly deep so that the crown of 
the plant rests firmly in the top soil, allowing no soil to lodge in 
the crown. Pack the soil firmly around the roots; water in, keep 
watered and shaded until plants begin to grow—from 1 to 2 weeks. 
If plants are delayed en route and have wilted, remove all large 
leaves and blossoms and place roots in pan of water in the shade 
out of the wind until crispness returns. 
Primroses transplant successfully any time during the growing 
season, from early spring to fall. The latest date transplanting 
can be done with safety is about a month before frost. 
Watering—Water deeply by soaking the ground thoroughly. Keep 
soil cool and moist all spring and summer and water in the cool 
of evening. Light cultivation helps hold moisture at roots. 
Mulching—Not necessary but advantageous. Keeps soil cool, 
repels weeds, induces self-sown-seedlings and protects from heavy 
rains. Put on after planting or dividing. 
Dividing—About every two years, or whenever the plant grows 
into a crowded clump and flowers diminish, Polyanthus, single and 
double Acaulis should be lifted and washed free of soil, the crowns 
separated, roots cut back with a sharp knife to about 4 inches, 
large leaves removed, and the divisions re-set in freshly dug and 
enriched soil. Dividing immediately after flowering or after seeding 
when new growth begins gives the finest flowers the following 
spring. Division in early fall is second best. Auriculas grow more 
slowly and need less dividing. Juliaes may or may not be divided 
according to type. Keep all divisions well watered and choose a 
cloudy day when dividing, if possible. 
Asiatics, particularly Candelabras, should be divided every other 
year at least, with yearly division recommended. Divide after flow- 
ering, immediately after seeding or wait until early fall. Many 
Asiatiecs (all Candelabras) lose their old root systems after seeding 
and are sustained during the summer by very short, new roots 
beginning at the base of the crown barely below soil surface. An- 
