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Herbaceous Perennial

Primula vulgaris subsp. sibthorpii (Pr/Prim)

Sibthorp primrose

A semi-evergreen rosette-forming perennial about 15-20cm tall, with wedge-shaped bright green leaves, and clusters of long-stalked rose-pink, red purple or white flowers 2-3cm wide in early spring

Synonyms

Primula sibthorpii

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0–0.1 metre

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Exposed or 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: Deciduous or 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: Correct
Horticultural Group: Primrose group primulas are mainly grown as herbaceous perennials, and produce clusters of flowers on individual stems from the basal rosettes, although a few may also have umbel-like flowers. They are either spring-flowering, if grown without protection, or winter- to spring-flowering, if grown as biennial container plants in greenhouses or indoors.
Plant range: E. Balkan Peninsula

How to grow

Cultivation

Best planted in dappled shade in humus-rich, moist neutral to acid soil. Tolerates full sun if soil remains moist at all times. See primula cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed; take root cuttings when dormant in winter. Divide between autumn and early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Rock garden
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Wildflower meadow
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds
Garden edging

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Susceptible to leafhoppers, vine weevil, slugs and snails, caterpillars and aphids

Diseases

May be affected by primula brown core, grey mould, primula leaf spot and a virus

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