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The Rural Voice, 1993-05, Page 46Gardening The trick of growing luscious primroses by Rhea Hamilton -Seeger One of the more neglected spring flowers in my garden is the lowly primrose or cowslip. For years 1 faithfully bought pots of brilliant Pacific primrose in February, enjoyed the colours and texture of the wrinkled leaves and then lamented when they died away before I could get them into my garden in the spring. While I knew primroses bloomed in some gardens I never seemed to have any luck with mine until I did a little research. Depending upon who you read, primroses can be either very easy to grow or not very easy to grow. Their care hinges upon two basic needs: rich, humus soil and shady, moist conditions. Primroses are naturally found along marshy streams or peek- ing out of moist woodlands and mea- dows. There are some varieties that will tolerate our dry summer condi- tions and with a little planning you can grow luscious clusters of prim- roses to spark off the spring season. There are between 500 to 1000 different members of the primula family and they were once the pride and joy of English weavers. Master weavers once worked great looms in their cottages. To break the long hours of weaving they would surround themselves with pots of flowers. The English primrose became a great source of enjoyment as colours and patterns in the flowers were developed. With the Industrial Revolution cottage based craftsmen had to leave their windowed cottages for the mills and many lovely strains of primroses were let go. One that was quite pop- ular was called Gold Lace. It had deep maroon coloured petals with a brilliant yellow centre and a fine yel- low outline on each petal. Fortunate- ly a few seeds from a handful of sur- vivors were sent to a lady called Flo- rence Bellis to see if she could save this gem from extinction. She did and some of these plants are making appearances in Canadian gardens. 42 THE RURAL VOICE "First roses" are perennials but their season is very shortlived. The trick is to plant them in on the north or east side of your home or on the shady side of shrubs or trees. You can enjoy their first bright blossoms before the rest of the garden begins to take over and shade the resting primroses. Prepare the soil by digging down eight to 10 inches and fill in with rich humus such as old, dark cow manure and damp peat moss. Once planted remember to water well. That includes during the dry summer months when the plant has died down. Don't let the shallow root system fry and dry out. It is probably that task alone that keeps many people from successfully growing delightful banks of spring primroses. Fertilize in early spring and again after blooming. If you mulch over the winter, use evergreen branches and if you use leaves as a mulch tuck them under the leaves and never over the plant. Old rotted manure makes a good summer mulch and feeds the hungry plants. When the centre of the crown becomes woody or bald then it is time to divide. The plants can be moved after they have finished blooming in June. Carefully lift the clump and with your fingers pry the young plants away and replant them in an area where lots of old manure has been dug in. Water well. At the plant exchange hosted at our garden last year I had the good fortune to receive a wild primrose or cowslip. The cluster of wee yellow flowers seemed to last for weeks atop tongue -shaped leaves that were curiously wrinkled. A friend told me that the primroses found in cemeteries last longer in your garden. She had retrieved this one from an old family plot and I am looking forward to seeing it bloom in my garden this spring. It is probably of the only variety, auricula, that will tolerate droughty conditions. The popular Pacific primroses are the ones we see in the grocery stores and florist shops but more and more exotic varieties can be seen in plant catalogues. Primroses are one of the few perennials that has such a broad range of colours. From sugar pink to copper rose, to the deep velvety rich jewel shades of sky blue to violet. There are single blossoms as well as double and they can have short stems supporting masses of blossoms that almost cover their leaves or long stemmed candelabra (primula denticulata or Cashmere primrose) that will grow to half a meter high with tier upon tier of fragrant flowers. I know that I have my interest piqued and I will be investigating a shady niche to plant my next primrose in. This month marks the third annual plant exchange of the Orgasmic Gardeners. We had about 30 friends and co-workers show up for a potluck luncheon. Once the warm spring rain let up we tramped outside to take a look at all the garden treasures that everyone had brought. We had trees, tomato plants as well as the tradition- al lilies, chrysanthemums, obedient plants and larkspur. It is a very haphazard operation yet everyone has a great time. It is such a treat to be talking with other gardeners. Some are passionate about favourites and others nervously ask questions fearful someone will know how little knowledge they have. No problem, gardeners are quite patient especially when imparting information to someone who is equally interested. It really is an exhausting day and doesn't end when you leave the party. Everyone tears home to get their new treasures tucked safely away. There is nothing more exciting than receiv- ing a new plant with all its promise and mystery ... especially if the price is right! Happy gardening.° Rhea Hamilton -Seeger, in addition to working in advertising production for The Rural Voice, raises two child- ren, and is a skilled cook and gardener.