Pretty Purple Perennial Primrose

This deep purple perennial primula has proven to be vigorous and blooms very prolifically. This year, again, it is covered in double deep indigo purple blooms with a delicate silver white edge. They are in full bloom now, a bit behind many of the other primulas in our yard, but way ahead of others. Many think of primroses nothing more than what you see in the big box stores very early in the spring, but they are so much more. There are varieties that bloom from February into July. I collect (almost) any perennial primrose and the more I have the more I want. They are easy to grow and divide, so also easy to share.

Conditions: Light: in our garden, it does well in a spot where it gets bright light with some sun. (we live in the Pacific Northwest when the sun may not show itself the weeks at a time.) There are some deciduous trees near it that offer some protection from hot sun in the summer months. Like many primulas, it does a bit better in considerably more shade. The ones in the shady spot have longer lasting blooms.

The soil is constantly moist most of the year.

Cold hardiness: We got down to 8 degrees f last winter and it is going strong. In my experience they are very hardy!

Soil requirements: in my experience, They aren’t too fussy about soil. Over the several acres that we grow them, some are in loamy, sandy soil, others are in clay, and everything in between.

Pests: They are rarely bothered by slugs, or anything else. We bark mulch heavily and clean debris away in early spring so slugs and snails aren’t much of a problem. I don’t need to slug bait primroses in our yard, I guess we have tastier more attractive garden fare.

This primula quietly increases its numbers by producing clumps outwards. Against good practice, I have divided them at all different times of year, with the best results in early to mid spring or fall.

This variety is suitable for the landscape or container use. When used in big clumps or in large groupings they really add the wow factor to your garden!

If you don’t have primroses in your garden, don’t wait. Spring is the time of year for the best selection!