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Primula auricula (Primula auricula) is a perennial, low-growing herbaceous plant that blooms in small inflorescences with a powdery coating on the petals. They are grown mainly in flower beds. Many varieties of the crop have been bred, each with an individual appearance and characteristics.
The timing of flowering and the color of primrose buds depends on the variety
Description of the auricular primrose
"Primula aurica" first appeared in the mountainous zone of Southern and Central Europe. The plant is dense, oval, with evergreen leaves with a shiny smooth surface and a gray coating. The thick stem grows about 20 cm long and forms an inflorescence at the end with fragrant and bright flowers.
The plant is found in the wild, on the slopes of the Alps, Carpathians, Tatras at an altitude of up to 2.5 km above sea level. Over four hundred years of cultivation, breeders have developed a huge number of varieties, including exotic exhibition specimens and hardy species with simple agricultural techniques.
“Auricular primrose” has a second name – auricula, popularly called “bear ears”.It has gained particular popularity due to its vitality, easy care and the fact that it is one of the first to bloom in the garden.
Types and varieties of ear primrose
“Auricular primula” (auricula) has about 400 species, which differ radically in shape, size, color and type of inflorescences. They are divided into spring and summer blooming. The culture grows in different conditions, in almost all climatic zones, and has enviable cold resistance. Many species can be found in one flower garden. The lifespan of "Ear Primrose" depends on the specific variety. There are some that live only 12 months, but on average the bushes bloom profusely for 3-4 seasons. Some species bloom in the second year of life.
Varieties of "Ear Primrose" are presented in almost all colors: yellow, red, purple, carmine, burgundy and apricot
Any variety of plant can be easily obtained from seeds and then planted in a permanent place. The most common is the dwarf species (Primula Dwarf), which grows in the Middle East and East Asia, Western Europe, Crimea and Russia. It has lush inflorescences with numerous flowers in white, yellow, pink, red and purple.
Application in landscape design
Due to its bright color, Primula aurica often becomes a highlight in garden landscape design. In addition, summer residents love the plant because it opens the flower season from the beginning of spring.When creating a composition in a flowerbed, the combination of different species looks interesting; they coexist perfectly with other flowering plants: daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, tulips.
Perennial "Primula aurica" is used to frame gazebos, alleys and benches. It becomes a decoration of fairy gardens, multi-tiered flower beds and alpine slides. It is planted in a diamond shape, a semicircle and in rows.
Features of reproduction
“Ear primrose” is propagated by leaf and root cuttings. The process of dividing a plant can be done both before and after flowering, and during it. But more often this is done in May-June as follows:
- They dig up a whole bush.
- They clear it from the earth.
- Using scissors, they are divided into “divisions”.
- Remove damaged leaves and peduncles.
- The cuttings are planted in boxes with loose soil.
- Watered.
- Cover with glass or film.
- Place it in a shady place in the garden.
Reproduction is best done by seeds, which are best sown in the fall.
Leaf cuttings are carried out as follows:
- Large leaves of the plant are cut obliquely.
- The cut area is treated with charcoal.
- The cuttings are planted in containers filled with peat and sand in a 1:1 ratio.
- Put the boxes in a dark greenhouse.
- Planted in a permanent place when 2-3 true leaves appear.
Planting and caring for ear primrose
The Primula aurica flower is grown from seeds. The process is simple and does not take much time from the grower, but brings great satisfaction from the result obtained. Primrose is considered an unpretentious plant, but requires compliance with certain rules when planting and caring.
Growing ear primrose from seeds
At home, “Ear primrose” begins to be grown in February-March, and in the presence of artificial lighting - even earlier. Gardeners with extensive experience germinate primrose seeds in October-November, thereby achieving earlier flowering. If you sow “Ear Primrose” in the spring, you can expect inflorescences only after a year.
Seeds are sown in open ground when the snow melts. But at the same time, they carefully monitor the soil moisture to ensure that the seedlings are not washed away by rain or damaged by insects and other animals.
If there is lighting, “Primula aurica” can be sown as early as December
Also, “Primula aurica” can be sown in summer and autumn. In the first case, a lot of seed will be needed, since their survival rate in hot weather is low. In the second case, seeds of varieties that require stratification are sown. Although experienced gardeners advise temperature adjustment for all plant seeds. This way they will become more resilient and subsequently produce friendly and strong shoots.
Sowing of "Primula aurica" is carried out in a substrate consisting of leaf humus, turf soil and river sand. The seeds are distributed on the surface of the soil and lightly sprinkled with soil. After this, the containers are covered with glass or film and placed in a warm place. After 5-7 days, the containers are transferred to a cold loggia for 3 weeks, and watering is carried out as the soil dries out. When the sprouts appear on the surface of the earth, the boxes are placed in a room with a temperature of up to 20 0C, the cover is removed. Seedlings are watered as necessary and shaded from the bright rays of the sun.
Picking "Primula aurica" is carried out when 4 leaves appear on the plants. Planted in open ground at the beginning of summer.
Transplantation into the ground
“Pre-winter” seedlings of “Ear Primrose” are recommended to be planted in late April-early May. Seedlings planted in the spring are transplanted into the ground closer to September. The plant feels best in partially shaded, well-ventilated areas, under trees and shrubs. Close occurrence of groundwater is allowed. Does not tolerate direct sunlight.
Primula aurica is very demanding on the composition of the soil. Prefers nutritious, slightly acidic, moisture-absorbing and breathable soil. Before planting, the beds are dug up with rotted humus, peat, chopped moss and coarse river sand. If the soil is heavy and has little nutrition, then its top layer (30 cm) is replaced.
“Ear primrose” is planted according to the following algorithm:
- Make holes at a distance of 15-30 cm.
- Fill them with water.
- Place the seedlings inside without deepening them.
- Sprinkle with earth, lightly compact and water.
- Add a layer of mulch.
When caring for the plant, the bushes are regularly and abundantly moistened, trying not to get into the center of the rosettes. The earth is loosened, freed from weeds and fertilized. Before flowering, nitrogen fertilizing is applied (bird droppings, mullein), and during flowering, phosphorus-potassium mixtures are applied (every two weeks). After the auricular primrose has faded, the flower stalks are removed, the bushes are hilled up, and winter preparations begin. Perennial species are planted every few years.
If agricultural practices are followed, individual flower beds can be decorated with flowering auricular primrose
Wintering
To organize the wintering of the Primula aurica flower, it is necessary to strictly follow the sequence of preparation steps. It is carried out according to the following scheme:
- After flowering is completed, the area is cleaned.
- Before winter, abundant watering and aeration of the soil is carried out (the holes around the plant are loosened).
- With the arrival of stable frosts, humus is added under the bushes of "Primula aurica" and sprinkled with a layer of earth.
- During cold weather down to -10 °Cover the plant with twigs or spruce branches.
Transfer
If "Primula aurica" lives for a long time without transplantation, then its flowering begins to decline, the roots begin to become exposed, and it becomes vulnerable to cold weather. Therefore, it is advisable to change the “place of residence” of the plant every 3-4 years. Garden primroses are replanted when they grow strongly, and home primroses are replanted if they become crowded in the pot.
The time of transplantation depends on the type of flower. If “Primula aurica” has two growth phases, it is replanted after budding ends in the fall or spring. In case of single flowering, transplantation is performed in early autumn.
The root system of Primula aurica is fragile, so the procedure is performed extremely carefully. First, the bush is dug up and the roots are washed, then the plant is divided into 2-3 parts, the cuts are treated with crushed charcoal and transplanted to a new location.
A couple of months after transplantation, it is advisable to feed the primrose. Natural fertilizers, for example, chicken manure diluted in a ratio of 1:15, are better suited for this purpose.
Diseases and pests
“Primula aurica” has virtually no health problems, but if not cared for properly, the gardener may encounter a number of diseases:
- rot of the stem and root collar;
- powdery mildew;
- rust;
- bacterial spot.
A lot of damage to the “Ear Primrose” is caused by infection with the fungus Ramularia cercosporella, which appears in the form of gray or brown spots on the leaves. If a problem is detected, it is necessary to cut off the damaged parts of the plant and treat with an antifungal solution.
If ramularia is detected, all damaged leaves must be removed.
Garden pests to watch out for include fleas, slugs, snails, spider mites and aphids.
Severe damage, and even death of the “Auricular Primrose”, can occur due to the invasion of the beetle weevil. Its larvae live in the roots of the plant and weaken them, and the insect itself feeds on the above-ground part of the crop and its leaves.
Weevils on primrose flowers are sprayed with insecticides
Conclusion
Primrose aurica will be a wonderful decoration for a personal plot, terrace or balcony. With proper care, it delights gardeners with wonderful flowers for several years. And when combining species with different flowering periods, the plant can be admired from early spring to late summer.
