Perennial
Primula pulverulenta
Mealy candelabra primula
A candelabra primula with tiers of deep crimson-magenta flowers on tall, white-powdered stems, perfect for damp ground.
- Partial shade
- 60–90 cm (24–35 in)
- 30–50 cm (12–20 in)
- H6 · Zone 6
- May–June
- Deciduous
- RHS Award of Garden Merit
Overview
From the wet meadows and streamsides of western China, this candelabra primula forms rosettes of large, crinkled, bright green leaves. In late spring and early summer, tall stems rise to about 90cm carrying several tiers of rich crimson-magenta flowers with darker eyes. The stems and flower buds are dusted with a white powder (farina), which gives the plant its name and makes the colour glow. It needs soil that never dries out and thrives in bog gardens and beside water. Very hardy (about -20°C / -4°F), it prefers cool summers and dislikes hot, dry conditions. It holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit.
At a Glance
Growing Conditions
Aspect Suitability
- North-facing
- East-facing
- South-facing
- West-facing
Site Tolerance
- Wet soil
Soil Tolerance
- Clay
- Loam
- Acid
- Neutral pH
Foliage
Foliage interest: March–October
Seasonal Timeline
- Flowering May Jun
- Foliage Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
- Fruiting Jul Aug
- Propagate Mar Apr Aug Sep
How to propagate
Ways to grow more Mealy candelabra primula: the usual steps for each method.
From seed Mar–Apr Easy
You'll need: Seed compost, a seed tray or small pots, labels, and a clear lid or plastic bag.
- Fill a tray or pots with seed compost, level it and firm it gently.
- Water the compost and let it drain.
- Sow the seeds thinly on top. Cover them with a fine layer of compost or vermiculite about as deep as the seed is big; leave tiny seeds uncovered.
- Label them, cover with a clear lid or bag, and keep them somewhere bright but out of hot sun.
- Keep the compost just moist, and take the cover off once seedlings appear.
- How long
- Usually comes up in 1 to 3 weeks.
- It's worked when
- Seedlings with their first pair of leaves.
- Then
- When each has its first true leaves, prick them out into their own small pots, holding them by a leaf, never the stem. Harden them off for a week or two before planting out.
Division Mar–Apr, Sep Easy
You'll need: A garden fork or spade (two forks back to back help with big clumps) and a sharp knife.
- Water the plant well the day before.
- Dig up the whole clump with a fork, keeping as much root as you can.
- Split it into pieces about the size of your fist, each with healthy roots and shoots: pull them apart by hand, or cut tough clumps with a knife or spade.
- Throw away any old, woody middle.
- Replant the pieces straight away at the same depth, and water them in well.
- How long
- Settles in within a few weeks.
- It's worked when
- Fresh new growth within a few weeks.
- Then
- Water in dry spells for the rest of the season.
Sow fresh seed on the surface of moist compost in late summer, leaving it uncovered and outside so winter cold triggers germination. Divide clumps after flowering or in early spring. It self-seeds into damp ground.
Maintenance Calendar
- Mar Mulch with leaf mould or compost to keep the soil moist and rich
- Apr Check for slugs on the new leaves and vine weevil larvae at the roots of potted plants
- Jul Water during dry spells, as candelabra primulas collapse quickly in dry soil
- Aug Sow fresh seed or let plants self-seed into damp ground to keep a colony going
Garden Design
Works well in: Cottage, Japanese / Zen, Wildlife-friendly, Woodland / Shade
Plant in generous drifts in a bog garden or along a stream, where the tiers of flowers reflect in the water.
Companion planting: Hostas, Ferns, Rodgersias, Siberian irises
Wildlife Value
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Other pollinators
Spreads or self-seeds freely: keep it in check.
Safety
Not known to be toxic to people or pets.