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Primula auricula 'Dusky Maiden' (Au/A)

auricula 'Dusky Maiden'

'Dusky Maiden' is an evergreen, perennial, alpine auricula, up to 20cm tall, with rosettes of light green leaves. Clusters of purple-red flowers with paler edges and yellow centres, are produced on short stems in mid- to late spring

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	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: Clump forming
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: Accepted
Horticultural Group: Alpine Auricular group primulas have sharp contrast between the colour of the centres and the petals. They are classed as light-centred (white or pale in the centres) or gold-centred (yellow or gold in the centres).

How to grow

Cultivation

Alpine auriculas are best grown in pots in an alpine house or cold frame, in a mix of equal parts peat-free, loam-based potting compost, leaf mould, peat-substitute and grit. Alternatively, grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by division or by separating and rooting offsets, after flowering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
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, slugs, leafhoppers and vine weevils

Diseases

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

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.