Primula alpicola (Si)
moonlight primrose
A compact, deciduous herbaceous perennial with rosettes of green, oval to lance-shaped leaves. In early summer, dense clusters of fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers in shades of white, cream, yellow or purple are held on a stem arising from the centre of the leaf rosette. Thrives in damper parts of the garden
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Purple Yellow White | Green | ||
Autumn | Green | |||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Primulaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- 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
Correct
- Horticultural Group
- Sikkimensis section primulas are herbaceous perennials with long-stalked, oblong or oval leaves in a basal rosette, and erect stems bearing terminal umbels of nodding, fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers in summer
- Plant range
- Bhutan to SE Tibet
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in deep, fertile reliably moist soil in partial shade or sun
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by division
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Rock garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to primula leaf spot
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.