PRIMROSE
Primrose, also called gypsophila or primula (Primrose), it is valued as a very early flowering plant. Many species and varieties are cultivated, thanks to which the flowering period of these plants lasts from mid-April to the end of summer. Primroses rise to a height 10-40 cm. The leaves are fleshy, different shape, ovate or oblong, sitting, usually forming down-to-earth rosettes. These plants have many, loose flowers growing straight from the rosette of leaves or gathered in dense inflorescences. These flowers are small, diameter 1-3 cm, but they have exceptionally attractive and varied colors.
Primroses should be planted in sufficiently fertile soil and in shady places, because strong sunlight causes the leaves to wilt in summer, and planting in dry places may even lead to plant dieback. Primroses are of great use – they can be planted in beds of medium-tall and low perennials and in rock beds (in slightly shaded parts). You can create outlines and large groups from them, e.g.. under the trees, where other plants will not grow due to shading.
The seeds are sown in January – March for boxes. After the seeds are frozen, their emergence is even and fast. You can also sow in April, in rows what 5 cm or projectively, and when the plants will have 3 leaves – unzip them (also sown into boxes) spaced 10X5 cm. Permanent places should be planted in the spring, spaced 15X20 cm. When we grow them as an amateur, primroses can be propagated by dividing the plants in late April or August (for the latest flowering varieties). Dividing should be done after the plants have flowered. We have a choice of various species:
Serrated primula (Primula denticulata hybrida) – show. 30-40 cm, leaves blunt, ovoid-lanceolate, tapering into a petiole, lilarosa flowers, White, purple-purple, collected in capitate inflorescences. It blooms in March and April.
The primrose was high (Primroses are more cheerful) – show. 20-30 cm. Leaves ovate or oblong ovate, slightly serrated, strongly tapering into a winged petiole, hairy. Medium large flowers, Orange, yellow, Red, white and in other colors, with yellow and orange rings in the throat, gathered in umbels. It blooms from March to May. His large-flowered breed (Grandiflora) grows up to 30 cm, has single flowers, in diameter 4-6 cm, on long stalks, gathered in large umbels, in different colors. The Pacific riesen breed grows to a similar height. The flowers are single, in diameter 5-7 cm, collected in very large corymbans. The color of the flowers: white and shades of yellow, orange, blue, scarlet, red, pink, salmon. Suitable for driving, for potting and cut flowers.
Primula gypsophila (Primula auricula) – show. 10-25 cm, leathery leaves, round or ovate. Flowers in diameter 1,2-1,8 cm, bright yellow, Red, White, lila, usually two-tone, from 5 do 10 flowers gathered in umbels. The flowers are fragrant. Requires a sunny location, suitable for rock gardens and walls.
Stemless primrose (Common primrose) – show. 10 cm, spherical shape of the plant, oblong leaves, egg-shaped, corrugated, gradually tapering into a petiole, the lower side of the leaf is hairy. Flowers (large) they have colors: yellow, white, red, pink, clear – and dark blue with a small eyelet, are seated individually on long ones, hairy peduncles, placed among leaf rosettes. It blooms from March to May.
