Primulas are a large family covering a wide group of plants.

This can be a little confusing to new gardeners who will probably have seen tender, indoor varieties of Primrose or Polyanthus sold as Primulas in greengrocers and supermarkets.

All the varieties we grow are hardy, garden varieties suitable for planting outside in borders, tubs, pots, etc.

Primulas generally prefer moist soil and light shade, but because winter and spring light values are so much weaker than in high summer they can be used almost anywhere for early displays provided that they are moved into a shady corner for the summer (after flowering).

AT £1.42 FOR A SIX PLANT PACK:

PRIMROSE (BEDDING MIXED).

These are not F1 hybrids and will only flower in spring. Good of their kind, their flowers are not quite as large or bright as the hybrids. 15cm (6 inches). Each floret on a primrose has its own stem.

POLYANTHUS (BEDDING MIXED). Primula variabilis.

These are not F1 hybrids and will only flower in spring. Good of their kind, their flowers are not quite as large or bright as the hybrids. 20cm (8 inches). The florets on Polyanthus are arranged in large heads at the top of single stems. More spectacular, but more prone to wind and slug damage (they only need to chew through one stem).

AT 96p EACH:

PRIMULA ROSEA. 

Clusters of shocking-pink flowers 

that appear before the leaves fully develop. 

Must have a shady, wet position. 

Spring flowering. 12½cm (5 inches).

PRIMULA WANDA (ORIGINAL TYPE).

Bright-purple flowers with a yellow eye. Spring flowering. 10cm (4 inches).

AT £1.06  EACH:

PRIMULA BEESIANA (CANDELABRA TYPE). 

July flowering, 60cm (24 inches). A native of moist mountain meadows in China, this hardy perennial primula has specific requirements: 

They prefer partial shade and can only be grown in a sunny position if the soil is always moist. 

They dislike lime, preferring deep, peaty soil or any soil rich in well rotted, organic matter. 

WILD PRIMROSE (grown in captivity, the seeds they were derived from were not collected from a wild source). 

Pale yellow, spring flowering. These plants have not been hybridised and retain their original natural charm. 15cm (6 inches).

AT £1.42 EACH:

PRIMULA VIALII (THE CHINESE PAGODA PRIMROSE).

Conical heads of lilac-purple and red. 

The flowers look like a miniature red-hot-poker. 

June-July flowering. 30cm (12 inches).

PRIMULA PULVERULENTA (CANDELABRA TYPE)

Deep pink/purple flowers in late spring and early summer. A native of the wet hillsides of Sichuan China, this hardy perennial primula has specific requirements: They prefer partial shade and can only be grown in a sunny position if the soil is always moist. They dislike lime, preferring deep, peaty soil or any soil rich in well rotted, organic matter.  90cm (36 inches).

AT £1.61 EACH:

PRIMULA CHIONANTHA

PRIMULA FLORINDAE (GIANT COWSLIP).

Pendent, sulphur-yellow flowers in summer. A native of the marshes and stream banks of South East Tibet, this hardy perennial primula has specific requirements: They prefer partial shade and can only be grown in a sunny position if the soil is always moist. They dislike lime, preferring deep, peaty soil or any soil rich in well rotted, organic matter. 90cm (36 inches).

All the following varieties are priced individually at 79p each, but may be aggregated in any combination to obtain the discount of FIVE FOR £3.25 (65p each for five or more):

POLYANTHUS F1 HYBRIDS.

Mixed or separate colours. Red, pink, white, blue, lemon-yellow or deep-golden-yellow. 

F1 hybrid Polyanthus plants produce some autumn and winter flowers before a main spring flush. 20cm (8 inches).

PRIMROSE F1 HYBRIDS.

NOW IN SEPARATE COLOURS 

Previously only available as a mixed colour selection, we now have Rose Pink, White, Blue, Yellow and Red as separate varieties.

F1 hybrid Primrose plants produce some autumn and winter flowers before a main spring flush. 15cm (6 inches).

PRIMULA AURICULA.

Multiple heads like Polyanthus, but smaller, banded florets and fleshy leaves. Spring flowering.15cm (6 inches).

PRIMULA DENTICULATA (DRUMSTICK PRIMULA).

White, ruby or lilac flowers. Spring flowering. 20cm (8 inches), they can grow taller in sheltered positions.

PRIMULA VERIS (COWSLIP).

Small, pendant, delicate, Polyanthus-like flowers. Spring flowering. 20cm (8 inches).

PRIMULA WANDA (NEW F1 HYBRIDS).

Larger flowers than the original species 

and in a range of colours. 

White, yellow, purple, velvety-red, pink 

and paler pink with a deep pink or red eye. 

Spring flowering. 10cm (4 inches).