INDISPENSABLE PRIMULAS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21990, 22 December 1934, Page 12 (Supplement)

INDISPENSABLE PRIMULAS

MODERN INTRODUCTIONS TIIO list of garden primulas luts boon added to enormously during recent years, both by plant collectors and by hybridists. From China and Tibet have come new primulas which rank among the most beautiful and valuable plants of modern introduction. The modern varieties of Primula sinensis are an extremely varied race, and this is of special interest when it is remembered that all have originated by selection from the original type introduced from China nearly 100 years ago. This has never been successfully crossed with any other species. It is curious, too, that P. Sinensis has never been found in the wild state, and botanists are uncertain whether the original imported plant from gardens in China was from a wild species or garden hybrid. Improvement by Selection Primula obconica, another greenhouse plant, has also hitherto withstood every union arranged for it by the hybridist. Crosses with others have been claimed and reported from time to time, but these must be regarded with scepticism. During the last 20 years or so, however, this species has been improved out of all recognition by careful selection. It is curious that these valuable greenhouse primulas should refuse to cross with any other species. There is yet another primula which has behaved in an exactly similar way; thai is, Primula malacoides. This, when first introduced, was a pretty plant with light and graceful tiers of small pink flowers. Cultivation and selection have already produced a magnificent range of varieties with larger flowers of much richer colouring. The only true hybrid greenhouse primula of any importance is P. Kewensis. This cropped up in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, as a chance self-sown seedling in a greenhouse where P. verticillata and P. floribunda.were grown side by side. Two Main Classes The hardy primulas may bo roughly divided into two main classes, the bog and woodland kinds, and the cliff and rock dwellers. There are also many primulas which might be called meadow plants, for they are most suitably grown in beds of loam. Instances of these aro the primrose and cowslip family and the garden forms of polyanthus. The majority of the bog-loving primulas, although they grow more vigorously in wet places, such as the banks of creeks or in ditches, may also be grown quite successfully if provided with a soil so rich in humus or vegetable matter that it acts like a sponge and absorbs moisture readily and retains it for a considerable period. Leaf-mould, spent hops, cow manure and sphagnum moss -should bo dug in in liberal quantities. At the same time, a position shaded from the fullest mid-day sun should be selectel. The cliff or rock-dwelling primulas are best grown in the rock garden in raised, well-drained positions and in loamy soil. Many of these primulas are easily increased by division, just as the plants are starting growth in spring, or, alternatively, after they have finished flowering To divide primulas it is best to dig the plant up, wash the roots free from all soil and then carefully pull apart. . In raising from seed, the seeds should bo sown as soon as ripe. If kept lor several weeks the germination will be very irregular, sometimes extending over a period of weeks. HARDY CYCLAMEN DAINTY PLANTS Tho little hardy cyclamen are such charming plants, blooming when most other flowers have faded, or have not yet opened, that ever.y garden should contain a few of them. They are not difficult to manage if care is taken to provide a suitable soil and position. They like shade, such as that afforded by sparsely-planted trees and shrubs. They will thrive in semi-shady places in tho rock garden among hardy ferns, and will make a delightful showing when in bloom. Unless tho soil is naturally suitable, which it rarely is, other ingredients must be added to make the site acceptable to the plants. Leaf soil mixed freely with nieces of sandstone, brick or mortar rubble will be a welcome addition. If these materials are mixed with tho ordinary garden soil, there should bo no difficulty in cultivating the hardy cyclamen. Home of tho varieties flower in autumn and others from early to late spring. Of tho autumn-flowering varieties the chief kinds are C. africanum, which has largo marbled leaves and bears palo, reddish flowers in March and April; C. cilicicum, with attractive leaves and rose-coloured flowers in March; C. europaeum, which also has very attractively-marked leaves and bears fragrant rose-coloured flowers in February and March; C. neapolitanum, which has flowers of a pale rose-red shade opening in advance of the leaves in March and April. Of the spring-flowering kinds the favourite is C. mum, a charming littio plant with blooms of rose-red in early spring; the white variety, C. coum album, is particularly attractive. Other spring-flowering kinds are C. fbericum, rose-red, and C. repandum, reddish crimson. In planting the corms of hardy cyclamen, care should be taken to set them at the correct depth. While those of C. neapolitanum should be covered with two or three inches of soil, the others should bo no deeper than one inch below tho surface. The best time to plant those which flower in late summer and autumn is in January. Those which bloom in sjiring may' bo planted in March.