Primula florindae or the Giant Himalayan Cowslip is a magnificent plant. It is of huge stature flowering at a height of 100cm (3½ feet) and extremely long lived; up to 20 years being noted by many. The best conditions are a rich moist fertile soil where it has a chance to develop its gigantic proportions; huge numbers of strongly scented flowers can be enjoyed during June and July, this being the latest Primula to flower in the garden. It can also naturalise in a damp situation but in this regard is best suited to a big garden. In a garden a group of 3 plants will make a very bold statement. When conditions are not so damp Primula florindae still grows but all of its parts are reduced in size; but still producing masses of scented flowers.

Four scented primulas. Flowering period is from May through to July.  Height 60 cm to 100 cm. Plants supplied are mature flowering size and posted bare-root or reduced compost to minimise postage weight.  See more detailed descriptions for each plant by clicking the links below. The four illustrated are Primula florindae, florindae (copper form), alpicola var Luna and alpicola var Alba. Please note other scented primulas may be used as substitutes depending on availabilty of those illustrated.

This has been described as the best white garden Primula. The early leaves in March/April unfold and have a most delightful farina dusted surface. This is a fine dust-like material thought to protect the plant from UV light. This is a very hardy perennial garden Primula and reliably flowers each year. It is a clump forming species which can be divided to provide more plants for your garden; for free! The flowers open as the short (35cm or 15 inches) flowers stem develops. Each plant produces several flower stems. It is an early Primula making it a great addition to the early spring garden. Tolerant of soils which never dry out, even beside the pond margin, this is a most accommodating garden plant. This western Chinese Primula species always gives delight.

Primula alpicola is a very easy clump forming, extremely hardy long-lived garden plant flowering from May into June. Coming from Tibet this species is acclimatised to serious cold weather! It thrives in cool humid situations such as stream sides, edges of ponds and damp hollows. It will spread by self sown seedlings when conditions remain moist thereby extending the groups quite naturally. The sweetly scented perfume from the flowers is carried around the garden on cool still June evenings. The flowering stem will reach a height of 40 – 50 cm (16 to 20 inches). Primula alpicola will assort well with other moisture loving plants such as Astilbe.

8 X Plant - Summer Scented Primula Collection.

This is a collection of exotic scented primulas, from various parts of Asia. They belong to the Sikkimensis group and hail from the Himalayas, Tibet and Sikkim. They are extremely hardy and make wonderful garden plants, well suited to our conditions.

The flowering timescale across this range of primulas offered is from May to late July.

The flowering height ranges from 60 to 100cm (2’to 3’) depending on type.

They make an awesome impact in the garden when planted in mass groupings, and the photographs show what you can expect.

The plants selected for the collection will include Primula sikkimensis, florindae (and varieties), and alpicola (and varieties); 8 Plants in total supplied in their 7cm pots ready for planting out in your garden.

No special soil preparation is required. Just choose a spot in your garden where the soil never dries out and the plants can enjoy some dappled shade. Pop them in and ensure they get enough water during establishment. If you can add some garden compost during planting this will help if your soil is prone to drying out.

The plants supplied are of flowering size and within the next few weeks (it is now 1st May 2020) and you can enjoy their beauty and fragrance.

This outstanding garden primula species comes from north-west Yunnan where it grows in open pine forest and rocky damp pastures. In the garden a dappled woodland site is ideal and in soils that remain moist but are not excessively wet. It assorts well with other classic garden plants such as Rhododendron and enjoys the same conditions; rich peaty acid soils. It is a wonderful garden plant which has been cultivated for about 100 years since it was introduced in 1914 by the famous Scottish plant collector George Forrest. This strong growing perennial unusual primula has attractive spikes of pendant scented lavender blue mealy-faced flowers in May / June; timing is dependent on season and locality. The flowering stem holds the flower head about 30 cm (1 foot) above the foliage. Plants are supplied as bare-root mature flowering sized plants; they will flower next growing season.

Primula sikkimensis is a very long lived hardy garden perennial which comes from a wide geographical area from Nepal, Sikkim to Yunnan where it can grow in abundance. It is one of the earliest Asiatic primulas to be introduced to the UK. The natural habitat includes wet alpine meadows, streamsides and wet glades within the forest zone. It grows in very wet and cold places. It quite likes good light providing the soil remains moist at all times. Dappled conditions are also suitable. Primula sikkimensis lives for many years when given a fertile, moist soil rich in organic matter. The sulphur yellow flowers have a very sweet scent so typical of members of the sikkimensis group of primulas. The flower stems rise to 75 cm (2.5 feet) and so plants in flower create quite an impact. The plants supplied are mature flowering sized and posted bare-root for immediate planting.

This hybrid is one of our selections which we call Primula X florwaltii. The parents are P florindae and P waltonii, both strong growing plants, also found on our web site. This hybrid is very robust having hybrid vigour.  The flower colour may vary compared with our illustration.  However they are all scented and produce large clumps.  Decidous and flowering late June to July. Grow in wet heavy soils for best effect.

Primula florindae or the Giant Himalayan Cowslip is a magnificent plant. It is of huge stature flowering at a height of 100cm (3½ feet) and extremely long lived; up to 20 years being noted by many. The best conditions are a rich moist fertile soil where it has a chance to develop its gigantic proportions; huge numbers of strongly scented flowers can be enjoyed during June and July, this being the latest Primula to flower in the garden. It can also naturalise in a damp situation but in this regard is best suited to a big garden. In a garden a group of 3 plants will make a very bold statement. When conditions are not so damp Primula florindae still grows but all of its parts are reduced in size; but still producing masses of scented flowers.

Primula waltonii comes from Tibet where it endures extremes of cold weather making this one of the hardiest of all garden plants. Its natural habitat is beside streams and in damp meadows and pastures. It has been known to generations of gardeners since it was introduced into the UK in 1915. It is a popular garden plant. The flower stems are 50 cm in height (20 inches) and support a large number of scented (said to be of fruit-drops) lampshade-shaped flowers. Flower colour is a pale russet orange with a cream mealy face. The attractive luxuriant foliage consists of raggedly toothed, smooth leaves without farina which provides for excellent ground cover; thereby keeping weeds down. Plants supplied are mature flowering sized which will flower next growing season. Supplied bare-root.