In the wild this lovely primrose thrives on grazed meadows rich in lime and moisture. It has massed heads of fragrant lavender flowers on thin Primula farinosa has an interesting distribution in that it is not too difficult to find in the limestone areas which are in a band across northern England (Lancashire and Yorkshire mainly) but it is absent form the rest of England, and the whole of Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The odd record here and there corresponds to garden escapes but it is native only in this relatively small region of northern England. ... Learn More

Spikes of powdered, pale blue bells arise from compact clumps of hairy leaves, and surprisingly, it is very adaptable to our lowland gardens. One of the most delicate, beautiful and fragrant of all primulas, this gem lives at higher than 10,000 feet in the Himalaya. ... Learn More

The "Giant Himalayan Cowslip" bears large rounded leaves and stout stems carrying immense heads of fragrant flowers which are usually yellow but very occasionally red or orange. This is almost certainly the biggest primula there is and in a damp soil will make impressive, self-seeding clumps! ... Learn More

Large round leaves and strong, stout stems carry immense heads of fragrant orange flowers instead of the more usual yellow ones. This is almost certainly the biggest primula there is! ... Learn More

Slightly similar in appearance to Primula farinosa, this delicate plant bears in spring and summer umbels of mauve-pink flowers with yellow centres that are held on upright stems. The silvery leaves are covered in white powder, or farina. Like all members of this group, it requires consistently moist soil to thrive, although overall, it is one of the easiest 'farinosae' type primulas to grow in the garden. It is native to central Bulgaria where it grows on limestone rocks near streams at an elevation of 900-2000 m. ... Learn More

In May, on top of farina dusted stems, this rare curiosity opens clusters of narrow, hanging, pale yellow flowers, whose slender petals do not open out at all, but just hover like frozen exploding fireworks! Endemic to the north and west Caucasus, this is probably the most unusual of all primulas, having flowers like no other, and indeed at one time it was believed to belong in another monotypic genus, but modern genetic analysis has proved that it does indeed belong in the genus Primula. It is another ideal plant for stumping would-be experts! ... Learn More

This European species has very long, narrow tubes holding the bright, lilac-pink flowers, which open in clusters on long stems. They do well on the rock garden as long as they have some shade and it does not dry out, although they are probably safer in a shady, humus-rich spot. (Section farinosae) ... Learn More

This selection of the vigorous Primula japonica opens layered whorls of red-eyed, pale pink flowers in late spring and early summer, all above strong leafy rosettes of toothed leaves. Additionally, it usually flowers again in the autumn when it is established. It is one of the only candelabra primulas that will not only survive, but indeed thrive, in the average garden situation, as long as it it does not completely dry out. And if it does they invariably recover when they are finally watered again. ... Learn More

These lovely candelabra-type plants shoot up numerous strong stems bearing tiers of deepest crimson flowers. The basal rosettes make the most spectacular, cabbage-like giants when well fed or in moist soil, and being bone hardy they increase in size yearly and will even self-seed, but never ever become a problem. ... Learn More

This is an especially generous packet of these lovely candelabra-type plants that shoot up numerous strong stems bearing tiers of blossoms in all colours from white to red. The basal rosettes make the most spectacular, cabbage-like giants when well-fed or in moist soil. Being bone hardy they increase in size yearly and will even self-seed, but never ever become a problem. ... Learn More

This hardy, long-lived plant will become enormous in rich moist soil, producing yellow-eyed ivory white flowers on thick, strong stems, and is almost certainly the most impressive of all of the tall white primulas. ... Learn More

Native to Maine in north eastern North America, this rare little gem forms tight rosettes of white-powdered leaves from which arise short stems bearing yellow-eyed pink flowers. In the wild it primarily inhabits cliffs, ledges and turf, mainly along the south eastern Atlantic coast. There is also a small population on lake shore cliffs in central Maine. ... Learn More

This lovely dwarf American member of the farinosae section has heads of delicate lavender-mauve flowers with yellow eyes above a basal rosette of toothed leaves. In the USA and Canada it is found on banks of lakes and rivers. ... Learn More

This rare, lovely and extremely unusual plant has fleshy, rounded, woolly, alchemilla-like leaves with thin stems holding numerous umbels of pinkish flowers. In a peat or shaded garden will self-seed making an imposing sight. (Section: Cortusoides). ... Learn More

Clumps of dark, fleshy foliage surround strong stems bearing bunches of golden-eyed, brilliant rose-purple flowers. This gem thrives in wet areas from the subalpine zone to alpine tundra in the Rocky Mountains from Montana to Arizona and New Mexico and is one of the finest of all American primroses. When out of flower they look quite similar to dodecatheon species, to which of course they are distantly related. ... Learn More