Broadback writes
K wrote:
Stephen writes
Hello,

Is there a difference between a primrose and polyanthus? I ask because
the Thompson & Morgan catalogue has arrived in the post and it lists
both, yet they look the same.

Loosely, primroses have one flower to a stem, polyanthus have an
'umbrella' of flowers at the top of the stem.
Primroses, IME, are less tolerant of dry soils than polyanthus.
I still think that primroses and cowslips beat polyanthus.

Depends what you're looking for. Hard to beat the charm of wild-type
primroses massed on a grassy bank, then the purple-leaved, pink flowered
version of the wanda type is lovely. But polyanthus are robust and
carefree, and the old-fashioned gold-laced polyanthus is a different
style again.

And I have to admit that much as I love the native cowslip, I also love
the bronze and dark red hybrids.
--
Kay