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Delicate primrose is one of the first to decorate gardens in spring. More often primroses are grown in open ground, planted in containers on balconies, there are indoor views. Multi-colored paints of several varieties will create a real rainbow in the yard.
Description
Primroses belong to the Primroses family, their genus now numbers 390 species that grow on all continents. There are varieties listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. Plants bloom in early spring, except for various bulbous flowers. Hence the Latin name for primroses: "primus" - "first". Many peoples have their own touching legends about a graceful flower that announces the warm days that have come. In England for several centuries there have been clubs for primrose lovers, and colorful exhibitions are held annually.
Despite the diversity of species, plants have common features. Wild primroses prefer moist areas: near streams, in meadows, where their rhizomes and roots are free. Oblong, oval, finely toothed leaves form a basal rosette. In some species, the peduncles are tall, in others, the flowers are low. Flowers of different shades are tubular in shape with a funnel-shaped or flat limb. The seeds ripen in a round or cylindrical achene.
Types and varieties
In culture, several types of primroses are cultivated in the open field, there are many varieties. If the gardener is seriously interested in primroses, then even only from primroses of different types can create a garden of constant flowering. There are varieties that begin their rainbow parade in mid-April, others bloom in May, June and even late summer.
Spring primrose
In April, the spring primrose or medicinal primrose blooms. The plant has many popular names based on visual perception: rams, golden or heavenly keys. A Russian legend is associated with the yellow primrose about the keys that open the doors in summer. Others talk about the keys to paradise - where Saint Peter dropped the keys, golden flowers grew there.
Veins are clearly visible on the wrinkled oval leaves. The length of the leaf is up to 20 cm, the width is 6 cm, at the bottom the plate is slightly pubescent. Peduncle up to 30 cm bears an umbellate inflorescence - a "bunch" of yellow fragrant flowers, reminiscent of small keys.
Common primrose
The species is also called stemless primrose or akaulis. Large flowers of various colors on low peduncles create lovely bright cushions on rich green leaves. Plant height 10-12 cm, flowers up to 3-4 cm in diameter. Hybrid primroses have a rich palette of shades of simple or double flowers. Long flowering - up to 40-50 days. Planting primrose bushes in open ground is possible when the threat of frost goes away. Interesting common varieties:
Virginia
Plant height up to 20 cm, flowers 3-4 cm, white, yellow center. Arranged one at a time on the peduncle.
Cerulea
Flowers 2.5 cm, sky blue with a yellow center, collected in inflorescences of 10 pieces.
Atropurpurea
The plant forms a dense inflorescence of dark red flowers with a yellow center. Flower diameter 2-3 cm.
Primrose high
Also an early flowering species with rather high, up to 20 cm peduncles, on which several inflorescences are created. The range of colors is varied and very catchy, especially from the Gold Lace group. Terry varieties are bred. Flowering in good conditions: planting outdoors, not under the hot sun and with careful care, lasts up to 2 months, in April-May.
Alba
The umbrella bears 7-10 white flowers with a yellow center.
Gelle Farben
The flowers are light purple, up to 3.5 cm in diameter.
Gold Lace
Bright flowers with a light border and a yellow throat. The color of the petals ranges from bright pink to deep brown. Diameter 2.5-3.5 cm.
Fine-toothed
In mid-May, gardeners are pleased with the prominent primrose, in which many flowers are formed on a high 40-60 cm peduncle. Multicolored balloons in the open field in a flower bed look amazing.
Ruby
Low-growing variety, up to 30 cm, large raspberry inflorescence - 6-8 cm.
Rubra
Bright purple 10-centimeter balls rise on 10-15 peduncles from the outlet.
Alba
Small white flowers, no more than 1.5 cm, form a spectacular large inflorescence.
Primula Julia
Low-growing bushes of this species also flaunt in May. When primroses are planted in open ground, this species can be moved first as the most frost-resistant. Crimson-purple flowers spread out in an impressive solid carpet. The plant looks beautiful on rock gardens.
Primula Ushkovaya
These primroses bloom in May. Very popular in Great Britain, they are often called auricula (lat. - "ear"). Sometimes the plant is called "bear's ear" because of the rounded, leathery leaves with pubescence. The leaf blade is green-blue with edges raised inward. The plant is low, up to 15-20 cm, 5-10 flowers in inflorescences. British breeders have bred a variety of hybrids of all kinds of colors. Interestingly, the seedlings do not match the color of the mother plant.
Primula Siebold
Low-growing primrose blooms in late May. The plant has bright green leaves that dry out along with the peduncles after flowering. Pink, white or lilac flowers are collected in loose inflorescences. The transformation of the ephemeroid flower must be taken into account when leaving and the planting site must be marked so as not to damage the dormant plant.
Primula Candelabra
The species is magnificent, but not widespread, blooms in summer. The primrose has a tall, up to 50 cm, peduncle with purple, orange flowers, placed in tiers.
Primrose Florinda
Blooms in late summer. It is also rare in our country. Bright orange flowers in the form of delicate bells are raised on high, up to 80 cm, peduncles.
Reproduction
In the garden, primroses reproduce by self-seeding. In good conditions, they can displace some plants. But for this, you must first plant the bushes so that they take root. Gardeners sow graceful flowers by seed through seedlings or directly into the soil in a flower bed. Flowers are also propagated by dividing the bushes and rooting leaf petioles.
Seeds
Primroses are sown in spring, summer and before winter. Plants will bloom in the 2-3rd year.
- In the spring, primrose is sown with seeds in open ground after the snow has melted;
- Summer sowing is effective because the seeds are fresh and germinate quickly. You just need to keep the soil moist for better seed germination;
- Keeping the seeds until autumn, primroses are sown so that they emerge in early spring.
Many growers buy seeds in late summer or autumn as soon as they appear on the market. Sow in containers that are dropped into the soil in the garden.
Seedlings
The most difficult stage in growing a primrose is to wait for the shoots. For sowing are taken in February.
- The substrate is prepared from garden soil, sand and turf in a ratio of 2: 1: 1;
- Seeds are spread over the surface of the soil, slightly pressing into the soil;
- The container, wrapped in polyethylene, is placed in a freezer for a month to stratify the seeds;
- The thawed container in the bag is placed on the windowsill, where the temperature is kept at 16-18 degrees. The soil is moistened. Air humidity should also be high. The package is opened slightly with the first shoots, and then, after 10-15 days, they are removed;
- Seedling development is very slow. In the third leaf phase, the sprouts dive. Transplants are done several times as the flowers grow;
- The seedlings are transferred to the open ground after two years, replanting the plants in a new ground every time they grow up;
- Some gardeners plant young seedlings outdoors immediately in the summer, in the two-leaf stage.
By dividing
It is better to replant primroses bushes in August, early September or spring, before flowering. Divided after 3-5 years of growth for rejuvenation and reproduction.
- Rhizomes are dug up, washed and cut into pieces with a sharp knife, making sure that they have buds;
- The cuts should be sprinkled with wood ash and the rhizomes should be planted right away;
- Bushes are watered daily for 2 weeks;
- For the winter, the transplanted flowers are covered with leaves and spruce branches.
Petioles
Young primroses are propagated by this method. A leaf is selected, carefully cut it along with the bud and placed in a pot of earth and sand. The leaf blade is also cut off by a third. The container is placed in a bright, but not sunny, cool place, up to 16-18 degrees. The soil is kept moist. After a while, shoots develop from the bud.
Growing
Beautiful plants are sometimes capricious, like primroses. When they are planted in open ground, a suitable site is carefully selected.
- For better survival, primroses are placed in a light partial shade, under the crowns of trees, where the sun shines only in the morning;
- The site should be predominantly wet, but well-drained;
- Planting primrose and caring for the plant in the open field require attention from the grower. Plants prefer fertile loamy soil, are afraid of stagnant water;
- When preparing a place for primroses, the soil is enriched with humus, peat, leafy soil, a tablespoon of complex fertilizer is added per square meter;
- Primroses are not planted on those rock gardens that are on the south side of the garden. Plants do not tolerate direct rays of the sun;
- Most varieties of primroses are winter hardy. Plants are only covered with spruce branches. Hybrids are transplanted into pots for the winter.
Watering
Primroses love moist soil, without stagnant water.
- Plants are watered every week at 3 liters per 1 sq. m;
- Make sure that no water gets on the leaves;
- The soil is loosened, cleaned weeds.
Top dressing
Outdoor primrose care involves regular fertilization.
- In early spring, 1 sq. m make 15 g of nitrogen feeding;
- After two weeks, the soil under the primroses is fertilized with 15 g of superphosphate;
- Phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are given in July or August.
Beautiful flowers need care. But their bloom makes up for the time spent.
