Primula bulleyana - Primrose

The Primula bulleyana is a tall and colourful Asian primrose. Hardy and perennial, it develops wrinkled leaves arranged in rosettes like all primroses, but flowers quite late, for several weeks in late spring, in the form of tall flowering stems adorned with bright orange tubular flowers grouped in clusters on multiple levels. This characteristic has earned it its other names of tiered primrose and candelabra primrose. Easy to acclimatise in the garden, this primrose is an excellent plant for a fresh, even humid, but preferably non-calcareous border.

Native to China, specifically the Yunnan province, this primrose belongs to the primrose family. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with a taproot, reaching 60 cm (24in) in height when in bloom. In spring, it develops dense basal rosettes composed of deciduous leaves, which disappear in winter. The oblong leaves, without petioles, can measure 10 to 25 cm (4 to 10in) in length. The slightly dentate lamina shows a wrinkled and veined aspect, and a dark green colour with a hint of blue. The young leaves, pruinose, are covered with a white powder. In June, several flowering stems emerge from the heart of these rosettes, reaching a height of 60 cm (24in), also covered with a white bloom. Each stem bears several 'levels' of small tubular flowers grouped in whorls, tightly packed around the stem. The stem elongates while producing new 'rings of flowers, up to 7 in total. On each flowering stem, 3 to 5 whorls of flowers bloom at the same time. The flowers open from red flower buds that contrast with white pruinose calyxes. They are initially bright orange at blooming, then turn to yellow-orange, with the buds and corollas creating a beautiful gradient of warm colors on the flowering stem, tempered by the white of the stems and calyxes. This flowering attracts many pollinating insects: after pollination, the plant produces small round seeds that ripen during the summer.

The Primula bulleyana is a very ornamental primrose, quite spectacular when planted in masses and perfectly hardy. It is quite easy to acclimatize in our gardens, provided that it is given adequate conditions. It appreciates semi-shaded and airy spots, without vegetation competition, and requires a fresh, even humid, but light and preferably acidic soil like the humus of the undergrowth. Plant it on the banks of a pond, in a light and humid understory, or in a shady rock garden. It grows alongside Astilbe, Trollius, Filipendula, Dodecatheon, Gillenia, Solomon's Seal, and Hosta.