BLOOMING in my Woodland Garden just now are the “Candelabra Primroses.” What a relief to see the colorful spires against an otherwise all-green setting of ferns and hostas. More pictures, and a little advice for growing this generous Primula Japonica:
Like P. malecoides, the “fairy primrose” we all enjoy as a winter houseplant, japonica produces not one, not two, but three delightful tiers of bloom. These come in shades pink, red or white. I have ‘Miller’s Crimson,’ pale pink ‘Appleblossom’ and creamy white ‘Alba.’
Japonica is easy enough to grow. Give it a shady, moist spot, and it will bloom for you from May through mid-July. The plant will freely reseed itself, too, unless you fiddle around in its bed in early spring. This can harm the emerging shoots, which look, at first glance, like pale-green lettuce leaves.
If I didn’t already have a japonica collection in my woodland, I’d immediately start one. The plant is hardy in zones 4-8.
Don’t miss anything at A Garden for the House…sign up for Kevin’s weekly newsletter.
Related Posts:
A Peach of a Shrub: Chaenomeles ‘Cameo’
Here Comes the Bridal Wreath (Spirea vanhouttei)
How to Divide Hostas
Absolutely beautiful! I know that malecoides is fragrant — what about japonica?
Gregory – Japonica is not fragrant. But that is its only fault.
Kevin, my pulmonaria makes tons of babies every spring. Can those handle full wood shade like your primroses?
BBI – Pulmonaria are great beauties, too! I'd plant those babies where they get dappled light; in a too-dark location they will not bloom.
Bummer- guess I'll just sell off the extras and make some money to buy primroses! I would be honored if you'd “visit” my garden via my blog, Kevin (just click on Broken Barn Industries here). We have almost 2 acres and have been actively working on the gardens for the past four years. The goal is No Lawn! (Well, maybe some paths…)
BBI – I did stop by your garden just now, and left a comment there. Great property you have! Is your house old like mine — built around 1826 or so?