{"id":3794,"date":"2015-03-14T22:50:00","date_gmt":"2015-03-15T02:50:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2020-08-13T17:43:42","modified_gmt":"2020-08-13T21:43:42","slug":"how-to-grow-alluring-auricula-primroses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardern.co.za\/2015\/03\/how-to-grow-alluring-auricula-primroses\/","title":{"rendered":"HOW TO GROW AURICULA PRIMROSES"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Few flowers are as amazing as the Auricula primroses. Commonly referred to as ‘auriculas’ by collectors, the plant has a rich history full of drama and quirky tales, but most impressive is that the auricula was one of the first ‘florist plants’, the term ‘florist’ even came from those who carried these rare plants in England hundreds of years ago before people began growing plants in pots. We have much to owe to the auricula, but just try to find one to grow today.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\nCaptivating, beguiling, astounding – choose your adjective, the primrose known as the auricula, or Primula auricula (I am sure spellcheck has changed this to auricle at least 88 times within this post!), remain rarely seen in most American gardens – but why? Well, the reasons are many: First, auriculas may be gorgeous, but they are not the easiest of plants to grow well, (or even to grow poorly for that matter), second, much of the climate here in North America is terrible for these true alpines, as they are more used to conditions found in the high and dry snow covered Alps. So unless you live in Seattle, Vancouver or in Alaska, they are challenging to grow, to say the least. Thirdly, the Auricula demands precise alpine conditions which evolve into tasks required for each season. Although they are hardy to -30\u00ba, trying to keep them alive over winter requires more skill than simply being happy that one lives in a cold climate.<\/p>\n
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Wild Primula auricula<\/i> on the North Face(yeah, ‘that’ North Face), on the Eiger in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland from a trip I took there a couple of years ago. These plants were growing about 8,000 in a meadow only feet from the bottom of a glacier.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n Like many alpines, we can begin by looking at the wild species which themselves are notoriously fussy about all sorts of atmosphericy things – you know: billowing cold cloud mists at 9,000 feet, fresh glacial water rushing through the silty muck which they grow in, the perfect breezy, cold alpine meadow, and maybe a millimeter or 2 of Pika poop for bit of a snack – easy peasy if you live at a ski lodge high in the Alps, not so much if you live at sea level in Atlanta, or Boston for that matter. Still, the auricula captivates all who view them, and indeed, they can be ‘growable’ but many who live in the cooler parts of the country. I think that it’s time for me to kick of some auricula appreciation time here, sharing with you not only how to grow them, but where to get some as well.<\/p>\n
\nClick below for more awesome photos and my tips: \n<\/p>\n
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Auricula primroses offer some of the most impressive flowers in the botanical kingdom, yet they remain rare in gardens and in general culture. Not completely ungrowable, one does need to do their research, and then try to find some plants.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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\nMY AURICULA PRIMER<\/div>\n
\nI am about to share with you all I know about this plant known as the auricula, just in case you are craving their beauty in your garden. As the past editor for the American Primrose Society journal, and a 15 year member of the New England Primula Society, and the current President of the North American Rock Garden Society, I have been able to get lots of experience growing these choice plants, and although I have not had the greatest of luck, I have raised a few (many), killed a few (way to many) and I continue to get more to grow (kill), but I can admit that I know many (a handful) of people who do grow them well (Amy, Susan and Judith from the New England Chapter of APS) who have proved to me that if I really wanted to, I could succeed with these lovely plants.<\/p>\n
Here are my 8 tips on raising the Auricual primroses, or Primula auricula varieties<\/p>\n
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Border and Alpine Auriculas on the right, and on the left, some show types, a yellow ‘self’, and some striped fancies.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n1. Do your homework – Learn to know the 7 types of Primula auricula<\/b>, not because you will exhibit them to win blue ribbons, but because some are easier than others, and you will need to learn more about how all auricula types. Don’t worry, it won’t be boring, as the history of the auricula rivals that of the Tulip (Tulipmania). You will also benefit by learning more about primroses, or the genus Primula in general, as it can be confusing. If you are looking to raise something that looks like these images here, do not ask for a primrose at your garden center, for most garden primroses are different species. You may find a commercially grown Primula auricula but most likely it will be the wild yellow form. Fine to start with, but there is much more to know.<\/p>\n
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A fancy’ show self’ in bright red can be very impressive. Some of these plants even have leaves that are covered in white farina, which need to be protected from the rain which can wash it off.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\nBroadly speaking,in the world of auriculas, there are seven types – there are those known as ‘Show Selfs’ which are types with completely solid colors (a red, yellow, violet or purple flower with an impressive white, creamy band called farina on the petals). Then, there are ‘Fancy Show’ types, which can be striped or ‘edged’ types, many with velvety grey, white or true black colors in the flowers.<\/p>\n
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Double auricula can have amazing colors, including pure black, and a touch of the desirable white farina.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\nThere are green flowered forms as well. The Double auriculas, which you must see to believe, if only for their color palette of buff, mustard, citron, green, biscuit, brown and powdery mauve) are challenging but amazing. All followed up by those known as the ‘Alpine auricula’ and the ‘Border auricula’, which are easier to grow perhaps, but often easier in pots than actually in ‘the border’, unless you live in Seattle or London.<\/p>\n
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‘Pips’ or young divisions from ‘Pop’s Plants’ a nursery in England as they look unpacked in my greenhouse in February. These will bloom in the following year.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n2. Order plants from England or a Good Specialist Nursery in North America<\/b> \nThis is a good time of year to order your auricula, and I have added some names of nurseries at the end of this post. Plants are shipped barefoot, from a few nurseries in the UK and France, and since the soil is washed off and the plants packaged well, the plants arrive in good condition. You can find a few types here in North America as well, so you will have some choices. Expect to pay 7-10 dollars US for show varieties, and additional dollars for certificates and shipping. The above order cost me about $250 but that was last year, this year, the Euro is much better, so if you are ordering from France, it could be cheaper. Come on, as if you haven’t spent that much for plants before! You can do this.<\/p>\n
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A ‘show self’ in deep violet shows how the white farina can make a blossom so striking.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\nI suggest these sources from the US”<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n
This brown double auricula is my favorite right now, but I have just ordered a few more in the most amazing colors of mustard, putty, biscuit, tan and dusty pink. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n8. Keep plants clean – of dead leaves, and check roots for root aphids<\/b> \nAuricula’s are prone to fungus in the summer, especially where it is humid, so removal of dead leave, and allows ones plants to nearly dry out in the summer is important. If you raise plants in a homemade greenhouse or outside under a cover, you will most likely get root aphids, which look like mealy bugs on the roots. If you commit to raising auricula, you will need to get comfortable using some insecticide or systemic poison. I suppose, since they are in pots, that it will be easier to be careful, just follow manufacturer safety directions. If you are uncomfortable using insecticide your only other choice is an organic method which rarely works, or tossing your plants and soil and starting again.<\/p>\n
Even in the winter, plants will need some cleaning, removal of dead leaves so that rot or decay doesn’t spread to other plants. Watering will require some care, especially if you have types with foliage that has a lot of farina, which is like a white powder and can be ruined with sloppy watering. It’s all about aesthetics, of course, as it doesn’t hurt the plant, but if you are raising auriculas, obviously you care about how they look. I keep an auricula kit handy, including tweezers, medical clamps and paint brushes. I’ve been known to get a little geeky and fussy about such things.<\/p>\n