Alpine Primulas

The primulas from the European Alps hold a special place in my heart. The remind me of my late childhood when I started to become interested in alpines and read the books of Frank Barker, Clarence Elliott, Royton Heath and Reginald Farrer. To an extent they are "back to basics" plants, after all the excitment of novelties from around the world, they remain,  with their simple gifts of beauty. (Left P.allionii Mary Berry-main plant, P.a.austen behind it, and the white P.a. avalanche

Primula allionii is the European alpine primula par excellence quite rare in the wild, but is common in cultivation in the UK. It goes through periods of increased popularity every few decades. It is extremely variable, both in the size and shape of the petals and in colour from white, pale pinks through to carmine and there are a vast number of named forms. I sowed a few seed capsules I found while tidying up a plant and produced a wide range from a single sowing. I was suprised that although none of them would be worth naming that most were very attractive and worth growing. Primula allionii usually needs protection from the rain, and as it flowers from about December is usually grown in Alpine Houses. It appreciates a limey compost, and fairly dry conditions.

Above right, one of my own seedlings, left P.allionii 81/19/3. That may be one of Ken Woosters numbers (Ken spent years breeding and selecting forms of P.allionii) or some other collectors numbers (perhaps one of Jim Archibald's collections).

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