Don’t worry, it won’t be boring, as the history of the auricula rivals that of the Tulip (Tulipmania). Do your homework – Learn to know the 7 types of Primula auricula, not because you will exhibit them to win blue ribbons, but because some are easier than others, and you will need to learn more about how all auricula types.
Here are my 8 tips on raising the Auricual primroses, or Primula auricula varietiesīorder and Alpine Auriculas on the right, and on the left, some show types, a yellow ‘self’, and some striped fancies.ġ. As the past editor for the American Primrose Society journal, and a 15 year member of the New England Primula Society, and the current President of the North American Rock Garden Society, I have been able to get lots of experience growing these choice plants, and although I have not had the greatest of luck, I have raised a few (many), killed a few (way to many) and I continue to get more to grow (kill), but I can admit that I know many (a handful) of people who do grow them well (Amy, Susan and Judith from the New England Chapter of APS) who have proved to me that if I really wanted to, I could succeed with these lovely plants. I am about to share with you all I know about this plant known as the auricula, just in case you are craving their beauty in your garden.
#Auricula plant theatre how to#
I think that it’s time for me to kick of some auricula appreciation time here, sharing with you not only how to grow them, but where to get some as well.Ĭlick below for more awesome photos and my tips: Still, the auricula captivates all who view them, and indeed, they can be ‘growable’ but many who live in the cooler parts of the country. Like many alpines, we can begin by looking at the wild species which themselves are notoriously fussy about all sorts of atmosphericy things – you know: billowing cold cloud mists at 9,000 feet, fresh glacial water rushing through the silty muck which they grow in, the perfect breezy, cold alpine meadow, and maybe a millimeter or 2 of Pika poop for bit of a snack – easy peasy if you live at a ski lodge high in the Alps, not so much if you live at sea level in Atlanta, or Boston for that matter.
These plants were growing about 8,000 in a meadow only feet from the bottom of a glacier. Wild Primula auricula on the North Face(yeah, ‘that’ North Face), on the Eiger in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland from a trip I took there a couple of years ago. Although they are hardy to -30º, trying to keep them alive over winter requires more skill than simply being happy that one lives in a cold climate. Thirdly, the Auricula demands precise alpine conditions which evolve into tasks required for each season. So unless you live in Seattle, Vancouver or in Alaska, they are challenging to grow, to say the least. We have much to owe to the auricula, but just try to find one to grow today.Ĭaptivating, beguiling, astounding – choose your adjective, the primrose known as the auricula, or Primula auricula (I am sure spellcheck has changed this to auricle at least 88 times within this post!), remain rarely seen in most American gardens – but why? Well, the reasons are many: First, auriculas may be gorgeous, but they are not the easiest of plants to grow well, (or even to grow poorly for that matter), second, much of the climate here in North America is terrible for these true alpines, as they are more used to conditions found in the high and dry snow covered Alps.
#Auricula plant theatre full#
Commonly referred to as ‘auriculas’ by collectors, the plant has a rich history full of drama and quirky tales, but most impressive is that the auricula was one of the first ‘florist plants’, the term ‘florist’ even came from those who carried these rare plants in England hundreds of years ago before people began growing plants in pots. Few flowers are as amazing as the Auricula primroses.
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