Primula waltonii

STRAWBERRY BELLS

Primula waltonii
STRAWBERRY BELLS

Primula waltonii is exquisite.

Exquisitely coloured bells of blooms

Bearing clustered heads of deep strawberry pink, flaring, nodding bells, like old fashioned lamp shades.
And each bell shades from a creamy, powdery eye, through strawberry petals, to wine red edges.
So the colouring of Primula waltonii really is unique and lovely, and well deserves the charming name of Strawberry Bells.
Plus the colouring and shading can also vary from one head of bell-like blooms to another.

Sweet & lovely scent

Primula waltonii also enchants with a sweet, lovely fruity scent when it blooms.
Bliss because it has quite an extended blooming season from mid-spring into mid summer.
So you have plenty of time to drink in that lovely perfume.
It is no wonder that Primula waltonii is one of the “Holy Grail Must Haves” for shade gardeners.

Treasures for shade

Though such an unusual and coveted Primrose, Primula waltonii has similar growing requirements, and is no more difficult to grow, than any other Primula.
So it enjoys positions in Part Shade to Deep Shade, and purrs where there is consistent moisture, or even where it has wet feet.

Excellent in a pot or shaded garden

It is also a wonderful plant to treasure in a shaded pot, where you can easily please it by standing the pot in a saucer of water.
However Primula waltonii is also better able than most Primula to withstand short periods of dry, as well as periods of water flooding.
So it is a tough and versatile Primula treasure.

Frost hardy

Primula waltonii is also robustly frost hardy.
And is able to withstand frosts down to approx. -20C, depending on conditions, and once it is established of course.
In very cold, frosty areas the clump may be winter deciduous, then bounce away again on spring refreshed by the cold winter.

Enjoys clay & compost

Primula waltonii enjoys moist and boggy spots or heavier soil, clay based soils, as well as soils generously enriched with compost and leaf mould.
It is not difficult to grow given it’s preferred conditions, and is a long lasting perennial.
So you will be enchanted by a clump of Strawberry Bells Primula for many years.

Enchanting in pots or garden

Primula waltonii forms evergreen perennial clumps of typical, but rather long and slender Primula foliage, sitting close to the ground as a neat rosette.
With a lovely blue-grey sheen which sets off the strawberry-wine flowers so superbly
So the foliage is also a decorative asset, even when the clump is not in bloom.

Rabbit & deer resistant

Mercifully rabbits and deer are not particularly attracted to Primula, and tend to pass them by on their way to more favourite fodder.

Approx. 40cm. High in heads of nodding bells x 30cm. Wide blue-grey foliage rosette.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY

Sow seeds of Primula waltonii indoors in winter, spring or autumn / or scatter outdoors in winter or early spring.

Indoors:
(Sowing Tip: Primula seeds are very fine and tiny. So pop a little fine sieved mix or sand into the bag containing the seed, shake around to collect the seed, and then sow the whole contents of the bag).

First scatter the seeds in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.

Now gently pat the surface to ensure the seeds have good contact with the the mix.
But do not cover with mix because these seeds need light to germinate.

And thoroughly moisten the punnet by standing it in a shallow water bath and allowing the moisture to percolate through to the surface of the mix from below.

Then place the sown, moist punnet in a well lit position (with good light but absolutely no direct sunlight).
And continue to keep consistently moist by misting regularly with a spray water bottle.
Covering with a plastic hat will also help to maintain consistent moisture.
Primula waltonii seed like consistent moisture and resent drying out.

Temperatures of 13-15°C. are best for optimum and rapid germination.
Excessive heat may restrict or halt germination and cause the seeds to go into dormancy.

Seedlings emerge in approx. 30-40 days.

However if the seeds are shy to germinate – Then break their dormancy by giving them a “pretend winter”.
So cling wrap the moist sown punnet and place in the fridge (not freezer) for 4-6 weeks.
Then remove, unwrap and return to well-lit position at 13-15°C. and continue to keep moist.

Seed Count: 20 seeds per pack.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count and give a generous serve).

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