Auriculas Elite Garden Mix

This aristocratic mixture contains both 'show' and 'fancy' varieties which have been hand pollinated and tresaured over many years by an independent grower. To describe the colour range and do it justice is impossible. Simply put, it's the Rolls Royce of Auriculas and strictly speaking should be pot grown for display in a cold greenhouse or conservatory - it's that special. 4-6".

How to Grow Primulas, Primroses and Auriculas

Primulas, Auriculas, and Primroses are plants for woodland edges and shady banks. As the name suggests, they are among the first flowers of spring and provide a welcome splash of colour when little else is blooming in the garden. Primroses have been popular garden plants for centuries, Elizabethan gardeners loved them. Potted primulas and auriculas make attractive, although short-lived, flowering houseplants too, but they do prefer a cooler spot. Once the flowering season ends they can be transplanted to a damp, shady spot in garden.

Seed is best sown from April to July. Germination normally occurs within 14 to 21 days at 60F in complete shade. Scatter the seed across the surface of moistened seedling compost and place the seed trays or pots into a dark cupboard to ensure absolute shade. Do not allow the sowing to dry out, even for an hour, ensure that the surface of the compost remains moist without over-wetting at all times.

Once germination has taken place, scatter a thin layer of compost over the sprouted seeds and grow on in a shady position until 6 true leaves have formed.

Transplant the seedlings into individual 3 inch pots using a moisture retaining growing medium. Plant out into the garden in late summer and early autumn or retain the pots in the greenhouse, well ventilated and in the shade for planting out early spring.

Positioning a compost filled seed tray beneath flowering Primulas where ripe seed can fall, and leaving it in situ throughout the year, over winter and into the following spring has proven to be a successful self-sowing method of raising Primula seedlings.