Vial’s Primrose

A striking and very fashionable primrose, originally from China, Primula vialii is a rosette-forming, herbaceous perennial with hairy, oblong to lance-shaped, mid-green leaves. Little light violet, bell-shaped flowers open from vivid red buds on conical flower-heads on upright stems, opening from the base upward. Good in drifts for a splash of brilliant colour in bog gardens, or in a partially-shaded border with small ferns and hostas. Vial’s primrose holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Site: Tolerates exposure
Soil: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained, loamy, neutral to acid soil, including peaty soils
Position: Partial shade; tolerates full sun if soil is reliably moist
Season of interest: June to July
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: 16-20” (40-50cm) Spread: 1’ (30cm)