Thankyou Rodger and Bevan for your replies. A bit disappointing that
they're not perennials. I also like the look of the candelabra
primulas - are these ok as perennials for my border? As I said, the
primula denticulata seem very happy and I have to dig clumps out and
move them to other parts of the garden, they get so big.

Joan in Bramhall (Cheshire)

In article ,
Ken Riley wrote:
Thankyou Rodger and Bevan for your replies. A bit disappointing that
they're not perennials. I also like the look of the candelabra
primulas - are these ok as perennials for my border? As I said, the
primula denticulata seem very happy and I have to dig clumps out and
move them to other parts of the garden, they get so big.

Generally, candelabra primulas are waterside plants, and get unhappy
if the soil ever dries out. I know that there are differences in the
tolerance of dry soil between species, but don't know which.

They certainly grow perfectly happily in cool, damp borders.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren,
University of Cambridge Computing Service,
New Museums Site, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QH, England.
Email:
Tel.: +44 1223 334761 Fax: +44 1223 334679

"Ken Riley" wrote in message
...
Thankyou Rodger and Bevan for your replies. A bit disappointing that
they're not perennials. I also like the look of the candelabra
primulas - are these ok as perennials for my border? As I said, the
primula denticulata seem very happy and I have to dig clumps out and
move them to other parts of the garden, they get so big.

Joan in Bramhall (Cheshire)

The candelabra primulas like Fujii, Postford White, Miller's Crimson etc
should do fine where your denticulatas grow well. You won't need to divide
them - if they're happy they will self sow all over the place. If you grow
the Crimson too close to the whites you will get hybrids - some quite nice
pinks, most a bit nondescript.
Some of the species are a bit more choosy about conditions but P. beesiana
and P.bulleyana are worth trying. Don't give up on the P.vialli, I suspect
it's short lived perennnial rather than annual and a fine plant if it grows
well. Seeds from some sources seem to produce better plants than others -
it's fairly new to me so I'm still learning about it.

Rod
Rod

In article , Rod
writes

The candelabra primulas like Fujii, Postford White, Miller's Crimson etc
should do fine where your denticulatas grow well. You won't need to divide
them - if they're happy they will self sow all over the place. If you grow
the Crimson too close to the whites you will get hybrids - some quite nice
pinks, most a bit nondescript.
Some of the species are a bit more choosy about conditions but P. beesiana
and P.bulleyana are worth trying. Don't give up on the P.vialli, I suspect
it's short lived perennnial rather than annual

Yes, it is a short lived perennial.
When I grew them they flowered in their second year from seed and for
another 2-3 years after that. I think it was the winter wet that did for
them.

and a fine plant if it grows
well.

It is indeed. Very dramatic with its two colours, and lasts well. The
sort of plant that attracts lots of queries from passers-by.

Seeds from some sources seem to produce better plants than others -
it's fairly new to me so I'm still learning about it.


--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/garden/