Primula (Primrose)
at Digging Dog
Including Primula capitata ssp. mooreana, Primula denticulata ‘Blue Selection’, & Primula rosea ‘Gigas’
Primula
Primrose
Derived from the Italian primaverola, the name of this genus pays homage to the way its early blossoms welcome the spring. Many of the more than 400 species are at home in the moist climates of England, New Zealand and the Pacific Coast. The species we offer are cold hardy but can do well in warmer climates so long as they have ample soil moisture. Lovely in drifts, try planting them in a woodland garden, by a pond or streamside. View a slideshow of plant images from this genus
Native to the coniferous forests of Tibet and southwestern China, Primula capitata was once used
to cure headaches and please the palette in thick soups and rice. This species is named for its blue-violet, pincushionlike flowers that open face down in early spring.
We plant it by paths or steps in shady rock gardens so that we can sit and look at the silvery powder on the green stems. It can take full sun, but only if planted in a moist loam or boggy location.
Blooms April–June. Size: 8"–12" high x 10" wide; hardy to zone 5. AVAILABLE JULY 2013
Primula capitata ssp. mooreana (P-0212)
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Blue Drumstick Primrose
If a fairy majorette was out to beat the band, she’d be carrying the charming orbs of this Primula as her baton. Formed from plentiful, dark blue and golden-eyed, funnel-shaped florets, the dense 2 in. globes rest on stout stems above a textured, leafy whorl. A winner for the shady border, plant a drift of this long-lived selection with Euphorbia ‘Fern Cottage’ behind.
Blooms March–April. Size: 12" high x 9"–12" wide; hardy to zone 5. AVAILABLE SUMMER 2013 Primula denticulata ‘Blue Selection’ (P-0860)
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Centered by a golden pool, each sumptuous flower holds overlapping mahogany red petals, exquisitely rimmed in gilded hues. Packed floral clusters present open-faced circular blooms on short stout stems above a trim lettuce green bed of rounded basal foliage that’s wavy edged and serrated. Conjuring the Victorian era’s ornate beauty, this hardy undemanding Primula can garnish a pathway, seating area, easily viewed container or any moist cranny with dappled light and ample airflow.
Blooms April–May. Size: 10"–12" high x 12" wide; hardy to zone 5. Primula elatior ‘Victoriana Gold Lace Red’ (P-1770)
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This long-lived, robust native of shady Tibetan bogs boasts some of the largest flowers in the family. From a mound of serrated leaves, older mature plants display as many as 80 citron-colored flowers per umbel on tall stems, creating a virtual festival of fragrance.
Blooms June–August. Size: 2'–2-1/2' high x 12" wide; hardy to zone 6. AVAILABLE SUMMER 2013 Primula florindae (p-1397)
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One of the loveliest Primulas, ‘Gigas’ pretties up the garden in early spring with carmine-pink flowers. Adorning stout stems, numerous brightly colored blooms gather in good-sized umbels before the rosettes of notched green leaves fully develop. Tuck this small-scale performer into the front row amid Luzula ‘Solar Flair’
and Pulmonaria ‘Little Star’.
Blooms March–April. Size: 8"–10" high x 9" wide; hardy to zone 5. Primula rosea ‘Gigas’ (P-1131)
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The pyramidal, Kniphofia-like flowers of this highly unusual Primula are bicolored, with purple at the base and reddish fuchsia at the apex. Perched atop 15 in. stalks and oblong, blunt-tipped green basal foliage, they provide fragrant, fanciful accents either in large drifts or surrounded by Aruncus and Viola ‘Rebecca’.
Blooms June – July. Size: 12"–15" high x 10" wide; hardy to zone 6. AVAILABLE LATE JUNE 2013 Primula vialii (P-0233)
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Steeped in charm and easily grown, this hard-to-find old-fashioned Primrose promises to please with nearly evergreen foliage and a blooming season, extending from spring to fall. A plentiful showing of rose-like buds and splendid lilac-pink double flowers adorn broad textured spring green foliage that forms a generous long-lived clump.
Bright shade, well-drained soil and
above average moisture will ensure its success.
Blooms May – September. Size: 6"–8" high x 6"–8" wide; hardy to zone 6. AVAILABLE JULY 2013 Primula vulgaris ‘Double Lilac’ (P-1489)
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Slender stems elevate white powdered calyxes and pendent clusters of lampshade-like flowers, which range in color from soft violet-pink to claret. Indigenous to Tibet’s alpine meadows, this charmer’s narrow round-tipped green leaves are oblong and serrated, crafting lustrous rosettes that flourish in a cool moist, but bright well-drained locale.
Blooms June – July. Size: 12"–16" high x 12" wide; hardy to zone 5. AVAILABLE JUNE 2013 Primula waltonii (P-1668)
Each $7.00
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Garden Conservancy Open Day
10:00am to 4:00pm, June 8th at Digging Dog
Unique opportunity to view 3-1/2 acre Private Garden. Nursery open for plant sales
Saturday Stroll & Plant Chat
2:00 to 4:30pm, June 22nd
Join us for a fun, informative guided tour of our colorful display borders. Sip lemonade & take home great gardening ideas.
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