Primula is a genus of popular garden plants for cooler climates but they aren't well-adapted to the temperatures of the Southeast US. After a high death toll, we are steadily building our primula collection with the trial survivors that have proven to be long lasting performers for us in woodland conditions with average well-drained soils.
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Primulas are early bloomers in the garden and usher in the spring season with attractive flowers in an array of colors. Primula plants are an important food source for several butterfly species, so don't go running for the insecticide if you see some caterpillars. Most primulas go summer dormant in hot climates. Primulas are perfect plants for the front of the border and look great in masses or in containers. When you're ready to buy primula for your shade perennial garden, check out our online offerings of primula for sale below.
Since 1988, Plant Delights Nursery has been the choice of serious gardeners and plant collectors looking for the best and rarest perennial plants. We are pleased to have received the Perennial Plant Association Retail Award in 2011, the American Horticulture Society Commercial Award in 2002, and to have been selected as one of the Best Mail Order Plant Sources - Garden Design Magazine 2010. Welcome to our family of plant lovers!
I assumed for years that these would not thrive in our heat and humidity after seeing them in full glory in the upper Midwest...I was wrong. This Japanese native thrives in bogs and damp areas...forgot, we have to call them wetlands now. We have now grown Primula japonica for over a decade along the edge of our woodland stream among pitcher plants, where they reseed politely, forming a slowly increasing colony. Starting in late May and continuing through June, the 12" tall x 18" wide rosette is topped by 18" tall spikes, each laden with numerous whorls of flowers, either in purple, red, pink, or white. A mass of Primula japonica in flower in late spring is a hortgasm-causing event. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Primula sieboldii 'Drag Queen' is a 2010 release from the former Seneca Hill Nursery. The slowly spreading patches of serrated green foliage are topped in mid-April (NC) with large, seemingly floppy petals, edged with lacy mauvy-lavender and highlighted by a white central stripe...what a floozy! The entire clump will go summer dormant in hot summer climates...well-drained soils with average moisture are perfect. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Primula sieboldii 'Seneca Star' is a 2008 introduction from the former Seneca Hill Nursery. Primula 'Seneca Star' has been a star performer for us, forming a slowly spreading patch of serrated green foliage topped, starting in mid-April (NC), with 8" tall stalks of purple-pink, deeply serrated petals, highlighted by a central white band. All Primula sieboldii cultivars go summer dormant in hot climates...slightly moist, but well-drained soils are best. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Primula 'Drumcliff' (2011) is the first in a new series of primrose hybrids from Irish dentist and amateur primrose breeder, Joe Kennedy. Primula 'Drumcliff' has lovely dark olive-brown foliage, topped in early spring with 5" tall clusters of flowers that emerge pale lavender, but quickly turn white for a stunning contrast in the woodland garden. We were thrilled at how well these survived our brutally hot and humid 2011 summer. As with all primulas, slightly moist soils yield the best results. Drumcliff is the final resting place of Irish poet, W.B. ("There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven't yet met.") Yeats. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Primula 'Innisfree' is another in the series of Joe Kennedy's Irish primroses, first released in 2011. Primula 'Innisfree' has dark olive-bronze foliage, topped in early spring with bright red flowers, each highlighted by a yellow eye...quite the unusual color combination in the woodland garden. Interestingly, the Kennedy primroses are produced just down the road from John F. Kennedy's old family home in Dunganstown, Ireland. The primula itself is named for Irish poet W.B. Yeats' ("The worst thing about some men is that when they are not drunk they are sober.") mythical cabin at the Lake Isle of Innisfree. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
.jpg "Epimedium wushanense (Wushan Fairy Wings)")
.jpg "Primula japonica (Candelabra Primrose)")
