Candelabra Primula

Primula bulleyana is a spectacular deciduous perennial that brings architectural form and vibrant colour to the dampest areas of a woodland or bog garden. As a 'Candelabra' type, it produces several tiers (whorls) of flowers on tall, upright stems that can reach 60cm in height. The buds emerge a brilliant deep orange, opening to reveal golden-yellow flowers with an apricot hue. The broad, lance-shaped leaves form a robust, semi-evergreen rosette at the base. This species is particularly useful for UK gardeners with heavy, moisture-retentive soils, as it thrives in damp conditions beside streams or in low-lying woodland hollows. It is fully hardy (H7) and will often self-seed freely in favourable conditions, creating impressive drifts. It flowers in early to mid-summer, bridging the gap between spring bulbs and later perennials. It prefers a position in partial shade to prevent the foliage from wilting.

Sun: Partial shade.

Soil: Moist to boggy, humus-rich soil.

Hardiness: H7 — below −20°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul.