Primulas For the Water Garden

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 225, 21 September 1940, Page 6 (Supplement)

Primulas For the Water Garden

Garden Notes

THE primulas especially adapted for waterside culture constittute a very lovely and select little collection of bog plants, ranging in height from six inches to a couple of feet. They are easily grown, and should be planted in semi-shady positions in a welldrained vegetable compost, and massed for effect. Primula bullevana is deservedly placed right at the head of the list, with its orange-apricot-coloured flowers, borne in whorls on tail stems. The colour is wonderfully effective, and the habit of the plants charming and distinct. The hybrids, which liave been obtained by crossing the primula with another lovely moisture-loving Chinese species, the rich velvety purple primula beesiana, should on no account be overlooked. They have given a large range of colours, through shades of scarlet, terracotta, violet and purple. Primula Asthore, to mention but one of these beautiful hybrids by name, has coppery-roee-col-oured flowers, with a yellow eye. For Shady. Spot For a wet, shady spot Primula japonica can be very highly recommended. The flowers, which are fragrant, are dark crimson, borne in large whorls, several above each other, on a stem two or three feet in height, set off by tufts of large leaves a foot or more in length. Primula rosea is a lovely little plant hailing from the Himalayas, not exceeding six inches in height and quite easy to grow. Its variety, P. rosea grandi-

flora, has still more brilliant pure pink flowers, and is some three inches taller. Both are gems of the first water, and should not be crowded up with other things. Primula denticulate is another fine thing. Its lilac-coloured flowers are borne in handsome globular heads on tall stems. Primula dentieulata alba is the white form, and is equally lovely and desirable. ♦'♦ ♦ ♦