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Herbaceous PerennialAnnual BiennialBedding

Primula 'Rainbow Blue Shades' (Rainbow Series) (Pr/Poly)

polyanthus 'Rainbow Blue Shades'

'Rainbow Blue Shades' is a compact polyanthus to 25cm, with large, slightly fragrant flowers in shades of blue, with a large yellow eye

Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Blue Yellow Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter Blue Yellow Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Primulaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Primula are herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennials, forming a basal rosette of simple leaves, with salver-shaped or bell-shaped flowers which may be solitary or carried in an umbel or in whorls on an erect stem

Name status

Accepted

Horticultural Group
Polyanthus group primulas are rosette-forming perennials with umbels of salver-shaped flowers. They are usually grown as biennials by sowing seed in summer and planting out in autumn for flowers in winter and spring.

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade, do not allow to dry out in hot weather

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
  • Garden edging
Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, leafhoppers, vine weevil and slugs

Diseases

May be subject to grey moulds, primula brown core and a virus

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.