Bouquet Perfect™ ‘Violetta’ Primrose (Primula)
Perennial
- Perfectly purple flowers add drama to shade gardens!
- Early-blooming, deer-resistant, & overall easy-care.
- Great for moist soils, shady patio containers, or rain gardens.
- Zones 4-8, part sun/full shade, 5-8” tall x 10-12" wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Primroses are a perennial favorite with an old-fashioned charm. Their tidy green leaves feature ruffled blooms in early spring, a welcome sight when most of the garden is still dormant. To keep your primroses healthy, ensure the soil is consistently moist, as they have shallow roots and thrive in wet or boggy areas. In hotter climates, they may enter dormancy during the summer heat, but rest assured, they will return year after year.
Details
Common name: Primrose
Zone: 4-8
Sun exposure: Part sun (4-6 hours) to full shade (<4 hours)
Height x width: 5-8” tall x 10-12" wide
Flower color: Purple, blue
Foliage color: Green
Season of Interest: Spring
Bloom time: Early-late spring
Features: Proven Winners, rare & unusual, rabbit resistant, heat tolerant, ground covers, deer resistant, container plants, cold tolerant, best for beginners, low-maintenance, fragrant, pollinator-friendly
Uses: Container gardening, cottage gardening, edging, ground cover, massing, ornamental, woodland
How to Grow
Light: Partial sun to shade -- Primula will benefit from dappled sun exposure; afternoon shade is imperative in hot summers.
Water: Plants will go dormant in hot, dry summer weather unless they are kept well-watered. Mulching will help the soil retain moisture.
Spacing: 12 inches
Fertilizing: apply a granular garden fertilizer in early spring if desired.
Winterizing: A good 2-3" layer of shredded bark is recommended. Check plants in late winter and remove any ice or snow lingering in the rosette to minimize risk of rot.
Maintenance & Pruning: These also make excellent container plants - grow in a pot or windowbox during the spring and then plant in the garden when you turn your containers over to summer annuals.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.