Alpine Primulas (II)

Primula marginata (left, seen here as "Pritchard's variety" like P. allionii, is another variable, localised species. In addition to the beautiful flowers (usually some shade of mauve with a white eye), it has a lovely scent and the leaves are covered with farina (a flour like powder that rubs off). It is easier to grow outside but is less beautiful as the rain washes off the farina.

Primulas hybridise easily and there has been a recent increase in interest in hybridising the European species. This one (right) is Lismore Jewel, which is an has allioniiI, x pubescens cross. It is similar in many ways to allionii except the flowers have a yellow rather than white eye.

I'm not sure what the parentage of Primula "Wharfdale Village" (left)  is, but it is a lovely and easy going plant, with heads of fragrent, creamy white, yellow eyed flowers over farinose leaves.

Primula forrestii (right) is a bit of an oddity. It's an asiatic but unlike most asiatics in cultivation now it is best treated like a European species, ie it can be kept dryer and needs more sun. I grew this one from seed, it is also famous for a very long life (apparently it easily makes 100 years).