Primroses have undergone significant changes since their inception in the woods. Aside from the typical yellow shade, numerous colors are now available, covering the entire color spectrum except for one – green. Nevertheless, there is a green primrose variation!
Upon initial assessment, these hybrid plants may seem ostentatious and unsuited for your garden. Nevertheless, it is crucial to note that they are well-suited for a frigid winter garden and play a significant role in providing early-season nectar to bees and pollinating insects. During my recent visit to Ball Colegrave’s Spring Trials, I was thrilled to come across a variety of Primroses that fulfilled all my gardening aspirations. From ruffled to spotted, dotted to striped, these Primroses had it all! Before delving into this world of Primroses, it is essential to distinguish them from Polyanthus, as depicted in the accompanying picture. Primroses differ from Polyanthus in that they have individual stems for their blooms, whereas Polyanthus blooms cluster together on a single stem.
Primroses vs Polyanthus
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When it comes to differentiating between primroses and polyanthus, things can get a bit confusing. Some varieties of primroses are known simply as Primula, especially the Belarina Series, which has a double, pompom appearance. Despite being genetically different from traditional primroses, they still fall under the Primula category.
The Primlet Series is a range of rosebud primroses that are cost-effective and easy to grow from seed, making them a popular choice among customers and outlets. The color options have expanded over time, now including solid and picotee forms. These primroses have tightly packed buds that bloom into beautiful ruffled flowers. The Belarina Series is a game-changer in the primrose market, with its double-flowered blooms that thrive in gardens for up to eight months in cool spots. They come in an extensive range of colors, comparable to the petunia family, making them ideal winter plants. The Belarina Series stands out in the market with its ‘Primula’ tag. Furthermore, the addition of the Belarina Polyanthus, a double-flowered polyanthus, has further increased the options available to customers.
Since he was a young child, Michael has had an unwavering passion for gardening and plants. Known as a self-proclaimed Plant Geek, he has gained recognition for his contributions to the gardening world. He was even named one of the Sunday Times’ top 20 influential figures in this field, thanks to his work as a plant hunter for Thompson Morgan. Among his notable achievements is introducing unique plant species such as the Egg and Chips plant and FuchsiaBerry. Michael is always on the move, traveling the world in search of new plants and delivering lectures, including some in Japan. He also maintains an active presence on social media, where he invites people to follow him on @mr_plantgeek and Facebook. Through his Substack, Grow This, Not That, he provides plant-centered content to his audience.
