Rant on Primroses
By Larry the Garden Curmudgeon
This time of year the box stores put out large seductive displays of primroses, and gardeners hungry for spring color always bite. The problem with box store primroses is they are not winter hardy. So next year at this time they will all have that brown doornail look. Why waste money on them?
There are hardy primroses that winter well here and come back year after year to flower in early March. To the right is a photo taken on February 27 in our test garden. We actually brushed away the snow to get the picture. The photo is a “Nectarine” primrose starting to bud. “Nectarine” is one of the Belarina™ series of hardy, double flowering primroses.
In two or three weeks (depending on temperatures), that plant will be covered with large double golden yellow flowers blushed with orange. This plant was installed last winter and has been through several nights below 12 degrees. In future years, the plants can be easily divided after flowering to get more plants. Just make sure each division has some leaves and roots. Replant or pot divisions immediately.
We have “Buttercup Yellow,” “Nectarine,” “Pink Ice,” and “Cream” colored hardy primroses, while supplies last. Photos are to the right. They are easy to grow, wanting only protection from hot afternoon sun and evenly moist soil rich in humus. So why not think outside the box (stores) and get some Belarina™ primroses from Lael’s Moon Garden? You’ll enjoy them for years!
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