Primula carniolica

Primulaceae

The Auricula section includes not only that species, but also most of the other Primula species from the mountains of Europe. They make clumps of rosettes of thick, fleshy leaves, in some species really glossy, but in others covered with farina. Clusters of a few flowers are borne on short stems, from late winter through to early summer, and they are indispensable residents of rock gardens, raised beds, troughs and the alpine house. They are also great in pots for showing. The many Primula allionii varieties and hybrids, cultivated auriculas, and Primula x pubescens (P. auricula x P. hirsuta) varieties are listed in separate groups in this catalogue.

		Primula auricula SDR6960 is the species from which the many cultivated auricula varieties are derived, which also has many variants in the wild. This form has mealy leaves and umbels of bright yellow, white-eyed flowers, large and fragrant.
		Primula x forsteri 'Dianne' is a hybrid of Primula hirsuta and Primula minima. From the latter it inherits the broad, serrated tip to the leaves and its compact habit. Fortunately it has left behind the disinclination to flower in cultivation, producing its slightly purple pink, white-eyed flowers freely in spring, and often again in modest numbers in late summer.
		Primula spectabilis has rosettes of leathery, glossy, bright green leaves and large, rose-pink flowers with white eyes.
		Primula spectabilis SDR2415 has rosettes of leathery, glossy, bright green leaves and large, rose-pink flowers with white eyes. This collection comes from a limestone mountain in northern Italy, somewhat south of the main alpine chain, where on the busiest summer weekend of the year I walked all day without seeing any other tourist. Its location must remain secret!
		Primula x venusta is a natural hybrid between Primula auricula and Primula carniolica, rare in the wild, although it turns up from time to time. In appearance it is closer to Primula carniolica, and normally has bright pink flowers with a white eye.
		Primula wulfeniana is not at all widespread in the wild, and it is apparently also not commonly cultivated. It makes tight rosettes of shiny leaves, with a couple of flowers on each stem, reddish pink with a white eye.