I grew some Primula from seed last year in pots, then planted them out in the border in the autumn. They did very well earlier this year, producing colour in the garden when there was little else. But they are now over. The question is - what do you do with them now. If I leave them In the border they are going to get totally swamped by much larger plants and get no light over the summer. Can they survive that? That must happen to them to a certain amout in the wild. I have opted to left them and grow them on in pots until they are needed for replanting in the autumn. Does anyone else do this and will they be happy?
Mine get swamped every year pete, and look as if they may die off after the lack of light, they seem to yellow. Having said that they always come back in the spring and even in the autumn if the weather conditionns are favourable. 02
Thanks takemore, that's very encouraging. I have lifted most of them - but that takes time and space. However I left a few in place just to see what happens. My neighbour, who is a reasonably keen gardener (but also a bit ham-fisted), grows them each year in pots from small plugs. Then, when they are finished, he plants them out in the garden. He says that only about 20% survive to the next spring - and his garden is not very crowded. I can't see why so few should survive as most of his will not get covered by other plants.
I have to keep mine where they are planted because I only have a small garden and dont have any where to put them. They do look a bit unsightly when they are past their season but they always come back glorious the next spring. 02
May I ask what primulas these are? Years a go I bought a single plant of auricula that survived some neglect in a small pot for a long while, and then exploded and multiplied when I finally took goodcare of her. Now I have such a clump of it that it may actually look good even in a border. The question is, while living in a pot, with light water and feed it looks good also without flowers, the foliage being such a lovely shade of apple green. Will this be spoiled in a border? If the poor thing must go yellow and miserable in the border, I'd rather keep it in its (now very large) pot. Any advice is welcome. PS I would surely keep one or two plants in pots in the porch to enjoy the nice design of the mealy crown, I know this will be lost in flowers out in the rain.
Hi Ivory. The packet from Chilterns said 'Polyanthus - Finest Large Flowered Mix 1025F', which is not helpful. The online description said hardy, good for anyone requiring a relatively large number of plants for bedding , which is probably what made me buy it. They are very ordinary, and looking again at Chiltern's wide selection of Polyanthus I might try something more exotic next time. I think the answer to most of our questions is to try it. I assume your clump could be easily divided.
Ivory, I had one solitary auricula in my small back garden for a couple of years, it never looked very well and I'd almost given up on it, until this year when I planted it in a container, and it's been fabulous! I don't really want to put you off, but thought I'd share my experience. Regards, Beki x
Not put off at all, experience is what I asked for!! :-) I love my auricula way too much, I will divide the clump, and put into *2* pots, either that or plant it in the bathing tub, lol. Thanks!
