One of the most abundantly flowering primroses, pink primrose, is very common in gardens. Its inflorescences are beautiful and numerous, but the plant has only a few varieties, since it is very difficult to improve this already beautiful and vibrant primrose. Incomparable shades of rich pink and a large number of flowers evoke associations with roses, and their character is pleasantly surprising. You should carefully choose a place for this primrose, but otherwise it will pleasantly surprise even the busiest and most experienced gardeners. It is one of the first to bloom and seems like a small spring miracle against the backdrop of a garden that has not yet awakened.
Primrose pink. © Penlan Perennials Nursery
Description of rose primrose
Primrose rosea is the only “cultivated” representative of primroses, belonging to one of the fewest and least known sections - Oreophlomis. Previously, this primrose was often assigned to the mealy primrose section, but today its classification is not in doubt. This is a special section of medium-sized primroses with strikingly smooth leaves with a figured-toothed edge and bright pink flowers that can be enjoyed in early spring. Despite the fact that the name of the class is not known to most gardeners, its bright representative is difficult to confuse with other primroses.
Pink primrose (Primula rosea) is a herbaceous perennial belonging to the class of small primroses. In nature, pink primrose is a rare occurrence and one of the most striking representatives of the category of Asian primroses, exotic for us, but still so desirable. Its beauty in the wild can only be enjoyed in the Himalayan mountains, at an altitude of more than 2500 m, almost at the snow border, where this plant decorates with its dazzling blooms wet areas with specific soil, mainly consisting of clay or peat. In garden culture, the requirements for conditions remain almost unchanged, which sets pink primrose apart from its competitors.
The appearance of the pink primrose, or as we like to call it, Rosaceae, seems touching, tender and fragile. She really gives the impression of an exceptionally feminine and romantic little one, although her character is far from reverent. This is a compact plant up to 30 cm high (leaf rosette up to 10 cm) with an unusual root system formed by thin, thread-like and amazingly long roots, allowing the plant to adapt well to unstable conditions and not lack moisture.
The plant produces leaves only on the threshold and during flowering, but full-fledged rosettes are formed only after its end. Intensive growth at the end of flowering allows the primrose to quickly acquire a neat and elegant appearance. Young leaves, until they fully open and reach their maximum size, display a muted marshy color with a bronze tinge.
They acquire their true form after the primrose blooms, striking with their ideal lanceolate-oval shape. The lower edge sharply tapers into winged petioles. The length of the leaves is from 10 to 20 cm. The edge is serrated, the apex is blunt, the surface of the leaves is slightly wrinkled. The rosettes look very elegant. The color of adult leaves is a rich light green, clearly standing out against the background of ordinary garden plants.
Pink primrose traditionally blooms in May. In regions with mild winters it blooms in early spring, but in the middle zone this primrose will have to wait for a luxurious parade. It is very difficult to assess the structure and shape of the inflorescences: at the beginning of flowering, the peduncles are practically invisible, but gradually, as they bloom, they begin to grow and elongate.
Few-flowered umbrellas of inflorescences, consisting of 4-12 flowers, rise on pedicels up to 15 cm high. The flowers of this primrose are not large, only 10-12 mm in diameter, but they do not seem small. Flowers bloom in such numbers that the bushes turn into solid colored spots. The yellow eye and deep indentation on the petals make the plant even more elegant. The lanceolate leaves of the involucre emphasize an elegant cylindrical tube and a corolla with a flat limb, deeply dissected into broadly lanceolate lobes.
The color range of pink primrose is limited to dazzlingly bright candy shades of medium pink colors. Typically this primrose is characterized by a cool pink color, but there are exceptions.
Due to the rather early flowering, the timing and duration of the pink primrose parade depends on the weather. The flowers of this primrose may be damaged by frost.
Pink primrose, variety "Gigas". © PietervH
Cortus primula section
This section contains more than 20 species. The flowers of the plant are funnel-shaped, they do not have a powdery coating, and the leaves have petioles. If the soil is fertile, then primrose will grow equally well both in sunlight and in shady areas.
Primrose cortusiformes
This species is most common throughout Eurasia. A distinctive feature is the horizontal short rhizome. The leaves have denticles and grow on thin petioles. The flowers grow from umbrella-shaped inflorescences. Each has several purple-red buds. The flowers are characterized by having a deep groove in the middle. Their diameter is 1.5 cm. The buds usually bloom in late spring or early summer.
Primrose siebold
These flowers grow down, up or to the side. They have a special color and bud shape. When bloomed, they can be pink, lavender, dark red, white, or purple.
Some primrose siebold flowers are two-colored: the inside and outside have a different shade.
Primrose rejected
The height of this perennial flower reaches 35-40 cm. Primrose grows well in a short period of time due to its well-developed root system. The leaves reach 8-10 cm in length, have the shape of an ellipse, the base is equipped with a weak core. Flowers are located on thin and low-lying stems.
Varieties and forms of pink primrose
This type of primrose cannot boast of great variety. But the limited number of varieties is explained not by the hopelessness of the plant, but by its extraordinary beauty. It is quite difficult to improve the already bright and abundant flowering of rose primrose. Therefore, on sale you can find only two decorative forms of the plant and only one variety.
The decorative form of grandiflora (var. grandiflora) is a variety with much larger flowers with a diameter of up to 2–3 cm. It seems more lushly colored than the base plant. In catalogs, this form of primrose is often presented as a varietal plant.
Ornamental Harris (var. harrissii) is a low-growing, dark pink, very rare variety.
Gigas variety is a larger plant, the flower stalks of which can rise to a height of up to 40 cm. The bright pink, almost fuchsia, with a yellow eye, the flowers of this primrose are collected in larger, but noticeably loose inflorescence shields. The leaves are smooth, large, up to 15 cm in length, the peduncles are strong and thickened.
Section of candelabra primroses
This group includes about 30 species. Such plants are distinguished by long peduncles that appear in the summer months. In order for the bushes to germinate quickly in the spring and delight you with their flowering as early as possible, they need to be covered with special agrofibre for the winter. You can see what the primroses from the candelabra section look like in the photo.
In the sun, primus flowers can lose their shade.
The most popular varieties of this group:
- Japanese primrose. The birthplace of this flower is Japan. It can also be found on the Kuril Islands. Compared to other varieties, Japanese primrose has a peduncle about 50 cm high. The buds are arranged in tiers. When loosened, they can acquire a crimson or snow-white hue. This primrose develops well on fertile soils in partial shade.
- Primrose powdered. This type is the most decorative among the candelabra section. In nature, the flower grows in the marshy areas of China. This species differs from others in the white coating that covers the entire peduncle. A small amount can also be observed on the leaves.
Also included in this section is Primrose bullea. This is a biennial, which, with proper care, can be a perennial. The flowers of this primrose are orange in color with a yellowish tint. All of them are collected in large inflorescences on a peduncle of about 50 cm. You can see the flowering from June to July.
Pink primrose in garden design
Primrose rosea is one of the most moisture-loving primroses. It can be used to decorate bodies of water, from small ponds to large ponds and streams, located along shorelines. But moist soil, comfortable for this primrose, can be found not only near water bodies. It grows well in damp flower beds, lowlands, and those places that are uncomfortable for other primroses sensitive to dampness.
By planting curtains of this primrose in crevices, shady places in rockeries and rock gardens, at the foot of slopes or on the lower levels of terraces, you can use the imperfections of the topography to create ideal conditions for the plants.
Pink primrose looks great as a spring accent. Its early and very bright flowering allows you to color the garden with pink spots, so this plant is often placed where in the spring there is a lack of seasonal bright accents.
Primrose pink looks great:
- as a lawn decoration;
- as small spring accents in classic flower beds;
- used for color spots in the front garden;
- as an accent for decorative early flowering shrubs.
Pink primrose can be grown in primroses, mixborders, mixed flower beds of any style, shape and size. This plant is appropriate in gardens that emphasize a pink color scheme or in projects that mix different colors. It fits perfectly into both regular and landscape compositions. The only limitation on its use is its modest size and flowering time.
The primrose is placed so that it can be admired (in the foreground or in places where the eye can freely fall on it during flowering). The leaves of the plant do not spoil flower beds, so you should not be afraid of voids and clearings in them.
Partners for rose primrose are selected from among plants that bloom in the first half of the season. All bulbous primroses, including crocuses, snowdrops, scyllas, pushkinias, hyacinths, charming muscari, bulbous irises, tulips, daffodils, other types of primroses, pansies, spring flowers complement and enhance its beauty.
Plants do not get lost in the company of herbaceous perennials and any crops that also prefer moist soil. They combine well with other plants for the shorelines of reservoirs, including daylilies, aquilegias, astilbes, hostas, etc.
Pink primrose, decorative form of grandiflora (var. grandiflora). © Plantaholic Sheila
Conditions for growing rose primrose
This amazing lush primrose is not a big fan of open, sunny areas. In the garden it is worth finding shaded, secluded areas with diffused lighting. In the middle zone, pink primrose does not grow in strong shade; diffuse partial shade is chosen for it. Protection from drafts, warm places without active winds allow the plant to bloom more luxuriantly.
The origin of rose primrose should not be misleading. This primrose, indeed, loves swampy, moist soils, coastlines, and stable humidity, but it also feels good in ordinary fresh soil. How well this plant can adapt to dry soil depends only on its care.
Pink primrose feels better in nutritious soils. The plant prefers peat and clay soils and placement near water bodies. Pink primrose does not tolerate alkaline soils, but feels good not only in acidic, but also in neutral types of soil. Varietal plants are more capricious; they will prefer to grow in consistently moist soil near water bodies.
Planting rose primrose is carried out using the simplest method. For the plant, planting holes are dug according to the size of the root system and seedlings, the primrose is carefully installed without deepening the growing points and the soil around is compacted. Abundant watering is the only thing it will need after planting. Traditionally, it is recommended to replant this primrose in late summer or early September, but the plant is not afraid of planting even during flowering.
Common types
According to scientists, there are more than 500 varieties of primrose in the world. Since this plant is quite common in the wild, it can be assumed that there are many more of them and the real number exceeds the number we know by several times.
Officially, a little more than 30 species of primrose can be found in Europe. Moreover, more than 300 species grow in Asia, mainly in China. Several species can be found in Africa and Latin America. One species of primrose has even been recorded on the island of Java.
The most popular varieties can be considered:
- Primrose stemless. In this species, the inflorescences cover the short stem so tightly that it becomes completely invisible. The dome of inflorescences forms a beautiful yellow-pink cap.
- Alpine primrose. It has a dense tall stem, which is crowned by a ball of densely planted yellow inflorescences. May resemble a miniature version of a daffodil. This species grows mainly in the north and loves direct sunlight.
- Giga White. It is a very small white inflorescence that forms a ball shape and grows on a thick stem.
- Cerulea. They have a small thin stem that is decorated with an umbrella-shaped purple flower with thin white veins and a bright yellow core.
- Polyantha primrose. The low stem is decorated with several medium-sized red-yellow flowers.
Caring for rose primrose
This is one of the primroses that requires virtually no care. In drought, when the soil dries out or in extreme heat, even near water bodies (if the primrose is not planted in a shaded place where the soil never overheats), it is better for the plant to provide additional watering. In areas with drier soil, watering should be regular.
You can protect primrose from weeds and overheating of the roots by mulching. If the soil is not mulched, the maintenance program includes periodic weeding and loosening.
Dry flower stalks, if they are not going to grow their seeds, are better to cut off in a timely manner.
Divide the plant only when signs of degeneration of part of the clumps or old rosettes appear. This is a durable primrose that does not suffer from pests and diseases.
For the winter, rose primrose bushes are additionally protected by mulching. The plant is quite frost-resistant for the middle zone, but it may disappear in snowless or extremely unstable winters. The bushes are protected by simply covering them with a layer of dry leaves. The mulch must be removed in the spring to prevent damping off of the clumps and remove obstacles to the growth of shoots.
It is better to plant pink primrose in a shaded place where the soil never overheats. © GMH-SD-HH
Primula auricula, or ear (Primula auricula)
This is the most typical and well-known representative of this group. Primula auricula, with several varieties and subspecies, grows in the Alps. True, in our gardens its multi-colored garden hybrids with stiff-haired primrose, which are called pubescent primrose
(P. x pubescens). Species primrose is grown much less frequently, but in vain - it is elegant, powdery with a powdery coating and unpretentious. Grows in any permeable garden soil, requiring almost no care. It can withstand direct sun, partial shade, and drought, although it will appreciate watering in hot sunny weather. Winterizes well and is durable. It is useful to mulch old curtains with soil from time to time, as they gradually grow upward, exposing the roots. It can be propagated either by seeds or by dividing or rooting individual rosettes.
Reproduction of rose primrose
Pink primrose is easy to propagate by dividing the bushes. The main rosette constantly produces daughter plants, most often it grows in a group or tussock. Dividing large bushes into 2-3 parts allows you to get strong new plants, which are planted as independent specimens. This is not the fastest growing of the primroses, but it grows quite well. The optimal time for division is after the end of flowering and the growth of rosettes, from the second half of June to mid-July.
You can grow pink primrose from seeds. They can be sown before winter, but since germination is better affected not by freezing, but by cold stratification, it is better to sow in the spring, in April or May. The seeds can be kept for several weeks at a temperature of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius, or after sowing, keep the containers cool, at a temperature of about 15 degrees, until germination.
Stratification can be replaced by sowing under snow. Seeds are sown in light universal soil in containers, superficially, with a light covering of soil. Under film or glass, in a bright and warm place (when using stratified seeds), seedlings appear in approximately 2-3 weeks.
Young primroses dive after they produce their first full leaf. As soon as the weather permits, young plants are transferred to open soil - to a permanent place or to a bed for growing. Pink primrose seedlings are sensitive to returning frosts, so it is better to wait until the end of May or the beginning of June to replant, taking care of additional watering for young plants.
Planting garden primroses
This crop is propagated by seeds, cuttings, and dividing the bush. Well, you can also buy ready-made seedlings in the store. Yes, it is expensive (if you plan to plant an entire flowerbed or ridge), but you will get the result as quickly as possible.
Seed sowing
This is the most convenient and common way to propagate these flowers.
Everything is done like this:
- A shallow box with drainage holes is filled with soil (universal soil, rich in peat, turf soil, vermiculite, but especially sand). The bottom of the box can be lined with film, but be sure to make a couple of holes in it for water drainage. The day before sowing, the soil is watered.
- Primrose is sown from February to March.
- The seeds are not sprinkled with soil, they are only slightly pressed and gently sprayed with a spray bottle. Distance: 1 cm between large seeds or 5 small seeds per 1 cm.
- After sowing, many old varieties need stratification (from 2 to 4 weeks in the snow or refrigerator). New breeding varieties do without this procedure.
- They are germinated under glass or film, in the light, at 15-18 degrees, watered using the bottom method. Do not allow condensation to accumulate on the film!
- Did you see 2 real leaves? Dive!
- Feed the seedlings with mineral water (a weak fertilizer solution) three times a month.
You can see with your own eyes the stratification of the seeds of this crop and hear many useful comments from an experienced gardener in this video:
Transfer to open ground and care
Depending on the variety, seedlings should be 10-20 cm tall. Most plants are released into the wild in May.
The site should be moist but drained and in partial shade. It is desirable that the soil is nutritious (before planting, you can dig up a flower bed with compost, and if the soil is clay, add vermiculite or sand).
- Distance between bushes: from 10 to 70 cm.
- Planting method: transshipment.
- Root collar: deepened.
Immediately after planting, water the flower bed (but do not get water on the leaves). In the first 2-3 nights, you can wrap the primroses with film.
Primroses need to be watered frequently to prevent the soil from drying out. It is also advisable to mulch the flowerbed.
You can feed flowers with mineral fertilizer, superphosphate, or infusion of manure (not fresh).
Most varieties are not covered for the winter, but do not cut off the leaves - they will protect the root from frost.
