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Herbaceous Perennial

Primula auricula ambig. (Au)

auricula

An evergreen perennial to 15cm tall, with light green, bluntly toothed leaves and several salver-shaped, bright flowers in an umbel in spring

Other common names

baziers
bear's ears
see moreboar's ears
common auricula
French cowslip
mountain cowslip
tanner's apron
dusty miller

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1–2 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Primulaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
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: Correct
Horticultural Group: Auricula section primulas are evergreen perennials with leathery, often farinose foliage and simple umbels of salver-shaped flowers which are usually pink, purple or yellow

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in full sun or part shade in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil. Under glass or in a frame use a mix of equal parts peat-free, loam-based potting compost, leaf mould and grit. Avoid wetting the foliage of mealy species and hybrids

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers in an open frame as soon as ripe or in late winter or early spring. Propagate by division between autumn and early spring or take root cuttings when dormant in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required but deadhead after flowering, and remove dead or damaged leaves as necessary

Pests

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

Diseases

May be affected by a virus, primula brown core and grey mould (botrytis)

Get involved

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