• Image of Primula sieboldii 'Seneca Star'|Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC|JLBG

    Photo by JLBG taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC

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Primula sieboldii 'Seneca Star'

Seneca Star Siebold's Primrose

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

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Item #: 9702

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)


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.

Maintenance:

The only maintenance which might be necessary when growing Primula sieboldii 'Seneca Star' 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. 'Seneca Star' 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.