• Image of Primula sieboldii 'Chubby One'taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG
    taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG
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Primula sieboldii 'Chubby One'

Chubby One Siebold's Primrose

This plant is not currently for sale. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.

Shop Available Primula

Item #: 9700

Zones: 5a to 7b, at least

Dormancy: Winter, Summer, Fall

Height: 8" tall

Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade

Origin: Japan

Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


(aka: Primula sieboldii Seneca Hill #4) We are pleased to offer this 2004 Seneca Hill selection of the easy-to-grow Primula sieboldii. Primula 'Chubby One' is one of the earliest flowering of the Primula sieboldii selections we grow, topped in early April (NC) with 8" tall, but very compact flower clusters. The flowers are white on the face, but flushed heavily with pink on the reverse. Primula sieboldii goes summer dormant in hot climates, but returns just fine in our well-prepared garden beds.

Maintenance:

The only maintenance which might be necessary when growing Primula sieboldii might be to remove the old foliage and flower stalks as it goes dormant come hot weather. But memory suggests that it might quietly disappear on its own. It might be beneficial to mark its location so one does not dig it up while it is dormant.

Growing Conditions:

Primula sieboldii is a woodland plant which returns from dormancy in late winter and flowers in spring. While in growth it makes use of the sunlight available while the tree canopy is leafless and the greater moisture available at that time of the year. Like many a native spring ephemeral it goes dormant by early summer as growing conditions become less hospitable . This is a species that thrives in the growing conditions of the southeast US. Moist well drained soils suit it best; avoid soggy sites.

Garden Value:

A charming addition to the spring bloom display in a shade garden. The flowers vary from white to pale pink through rich dark purple. Flowers are often bi-colored and quite beautifully snowflake shaped. The foliage is also an asset, being a lively spring green and roughly arrow shaped, with a scalloped edge and deeply impressed veins. Primula sieboldii spreads at a modest rate and could be used as a small scale ground cover though it only covers the ground for about one third of the year. Its early rising habit makes it a good companion for plants that are late to come into new growth in the spring such as some Hosta and some Arisaema (Jack-in-the-pulpits); thereby two plants occupying the same site but at opposite seasons.