Primula Belarina

19.06.2023 - 09:34 / aberdeengardening.co.uk

Thinking it would be a good addition to the Spring garden, we ordered plug plants of Primula Belarina. Wow, these double primroses have been a bonus.

The plugs arrived in early September. Six of them, reasonably sized, but would they put on enough growth to flower in Spring.

Anyway, I planted up a couple of decent looking tubs with three in each, and placed them in a sheltered position in the courtyard. That is where they remained until late February when I then placed the pots on the patio.

The plugs had developed into good sized rosettes with flower buds in the centre. Mid March and the flowers were opening. Come April, the pots of Belarina were looking sensational. I expect them to continue flowering well into May or even June after which I will place them in a less prominent position and come September I may have to split them and have even more of these great Spring flowering plants.

I am on a mission to end the use of annuals in our garden and make more use of perennials in pots. I am getting fed up with having to empty the pots at the end of September every year. In fact, I am having difficulty getting rid of all the old compost. I will continue to have some hanging baskets with annuals. There was a time when we were totally over the top with annuals.

Primula Belarina is a hardy perennial plant which thrives in the Scottish climate.

The fragrant flowers are fully double and come in a number of colours. Freely available as a mix or named varieties.

By the middle of April, or sooner the flowers become so numerous they almost totally hide the leaves. Blooms are produced from March until June.

The crumpled bright green leaves form a rosette.

Grows to a height of about 8in/20 cm (spread 30 cm/12in at the very most)

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