PRIMULA. Primrose. Widely distributed, cold and temperate regions. I have hesitated to enter the realm of the primroses, bound up as they are with the market for cheap bedding plants. However, this is a very large group, and many species are quite distinct from the familiar “bedders”. The following all form the typical crowns of shoots, each consisting of a rosette of more or less oval, usually scallop-edged leaves. Leafless stalks carry spikelike to umbrella shaped clusters of 5-petalled blossoms in various bright hues. Sun or light shade near the coast, part shade inland, reasonably well drained soil, constant moisture except during periods of dormancy. The following should be hardy to 0^oF or less.

burmanica. A little-known native of the high mountains of northern Burma and southwestern China. It has rosettes of rather narrow leaves up to 8" long, with sawtooth margins. The flower stems are up to 2' high, each carrying several whorls of reddish purple flowers with orange centers.

denticulata. Drumstick primrose. A winter dormant species, suddenly appearing in early spring, the leaves usually lagging a little behind the flower stems. The flowers are borne in dense, round heads atop 8-12" stems. Colors range from deep red or purplish to white.

rosea. This remains one of my favorites after many years. It has crowns of 5-8” leaves, lying nearly flat on the ground, the flower stems emerging just ahead of them in spring. Rose pink flowers about 3/4” across open in umbrella shaped clusters. The plant often disappears by midsummer and can dry out somewhat at that time.

veris is the old English cowslip, very different in appearance from most primulas. The plants are evergreen for us, clumping rather prolifically. They bloom mostly in early spring, with a scattering of flowers at other times in coastal climates. Though carried in the same umbrella clusters as many primulas, the flowers are otherwise atypical, having a large, bright green, bell shaped calyx and relatively small petals, not opening widely. Our offerings are of two shades, bright yellow and dark red.

vialii. Except for the neat rosette of basal leaves, this species would hardly seem to be a primula at all. It bears its tiny flowers in a dense vertical spike, developing over several weeks in summer. The spike itself, or rather the unopened buds, are rich, deep red, while the active flowers are lavender to blue-violet in color. This is a perfect plant for pot culture, begging to be admired at close range.