Primula florindae (Giant Himalayan Cowslip) seeds

Distinctive, elegant species and one of the largest Primula species with large heads of nutmeg-scented, clear yellow, (though sometimes orange) drooping, bell-shaped flowers above large, round foliage. Easy to grow and well suited to boggy areas or pond margins.

Hardy Perennial
Flowers: Early summer
Height: 60 - 90cm
Position: Sun or semi-shade in moist soil

Packet of 25 seeds

GROWING GUIDE

Primula seeds need a period of cold to break their dormancy before they will germinate and can be sown indoors or out.

Indoors:  Sow at any time of year very thinly on the surface of a good, free draining damp seed compost, press the seeds lightly into the soil and do not cover them.  Seal inside a polythene bag and place in the fridge at 2-5C for 3 weeks. After this time remove from the fridge and either place in a propagator or leave in the bag and maintain at about 15C. Germination can take 6 weeks or perhaps longer and can be erratic hence the need to sow the seeds as thinly as possible. Check the container regularly to make sure the compost does not dry out.

Outdoors:  Sow as above in late summer to early winter and place the container outdoors in a cold frame, unheated greenhouse or in a sheltered spot anywhere in the garden where it won't be disturbed.  Germination will occur when the temperature starts to warm up in early spring.  Seed can also be sown directly outdoors in flowering position though it is wise to protect the area with netting to avoid disturbance by wildlife.

Growing Instructions: When seedlings are large enough to handle, remove them carefully from the container and pot up individually into 7.5cm pots. Grow on in cooler conditions in good, natural light, but avoid direct sunlight. In spring, gradually acclimatise plants to outdoor conditions before planting in their final position.

Main Image: Stan Shebs [GFDL, CC BY-SA 3.0 or CC BY-SA 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons