Primula 'Red Hugh'

Primula 'Red Hugh' is a striking member of the Candelabra group, specifically a cultivar of Primula pulverulenta. It is a robust, deciduous perennial that thrives in the permanently damp, boggy margins of ponds or streams. In early summer, it produces tall, sturdy stems coated in a distinctive silvery-white meal (farina). These stems bear several tiers of vibrant, deep crimson-red flowers with a darker eye, arranged in whorls. The foliage forms a basal rosette of large, crinkled, pale green leaves. It is quintessentially British in its preference for cool, damp environments and looks most effective when planted in drifts. It is fully hardy (H7) and enjoys a position in partial shade, though it can tolerate full sun if the soil remains constantly moist. It is easy to maintain and will often self-seed in favourable conditions, creating a naturalised woodland-edge appearance by the water.

Sun: Partial shade.

Soil: Deep, reliable moist to boggy soil.

Hardiness: H7 — below −20°C.

Flowering: May, Jun.