Product description
Primula vialii brings a distinctive splash of colour to summer planting, with upright flower spikes covered in red buds that gradually open into lilac-purple flowers from the bottom upwards. The changing colours create a striking two-tone effect along each stem, while the low rosette of green foliage keeps the plant neat around the base. Also known as Orchid Primrose, it works particularly well towards the front or middle of a border, where the unusual flower spikes can rise above surrounding planting, and it also makes an interesting choice for patio pots and containers.
The flowers combine particularly well with grasses, softer foliage plants, and other summer-flowering perennials, adding a different shape and stronger colour to the planting. The spikes can also be cut for a simple indoor display, while bees and other pollinating insects are attracted to the open flowers. A partially shaded position with fertile, moist but well-drained soil will suit this hardy perennial, allowing it to return each year as a reliable part of the summer garden.
Please Note: When purchasing plants, please consider that each live item is unique and may therefore differ from the images shown, which are for illustration purposes only. The plant will be supplied in a growers pot. Depending on season, some plants may be pruned back to encourage growth and deciduous plants may arrive without leaves.
Garden Plant Size Guide
Plants in larger pots can be multiple years older than their smaller counterparts with more mature root systems and foliage. This makes them able to thrive as a full size plant in your garden quicker than smaller alternatives.
The most common size of pot that garden plants come in are 9cm/1L/3L/5L this is in reference to the diameter at the top of the pot.
9cm potted plants still remain the most popular cost effective option though, they just may take a little patience to allow them to grow into full maturity once planted in your garden.
Plant specs, care guide & tips
Key features
Specifications
When to plant
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Planting and period of interest times are general guidelines and may vary based on your location and conditions. For best results, consult local gardening resources.
Instructions
Top Tip
Leaving a few finished flower spikes in place allows Orchid Primrose to produce seed, which can be useful for raising additional plants without buying more. Primula vialii can self-seed in suitable conditions, so seedlings may gradually appear around an established clump and develop into a larger group of these distinctive summer flowers.
How to Water
Keep Orchid Primrose consistently moist while it is settling in, particularly during warm or dry spells. Once established, check the soil regularly and water thoroughly whenever it starts to dry, especially while the plant is in flower, but avoid leaving it sitting in saturated conditions.
How to Plant
Orchid Primrose prefers a cool, partially shaded spot where the soil stays lightly moist through the growing season. Loosen the planting area well, settle the root ball into the soil without burying the crown, then firm it in and water generously to help the roots make good contact with the surrounding soil.
