Fragrances and music have a tendency to seep right into your head and stay there. This past week, as the predicted “snowpocalypse” turned into a “sno-vereaction,” the scent of a particular primrose took up residence in my brain. Now I am on a quest for similar scented beauties for my spring garden.
The brain take-over started with a magazine article about converting a small outdoor birdbath into an indoor centerpiece. Planning ahead for the snowpocalypse, I went out to find the plants for the project and happened on a magenta-flowered primrose at the garden center. It was a medium size—no more than seven inch—specimen, with whorls of half inch flowers rather than single blossoms. The color was compelling, but it was the strong hyacinth-like fragrance that threw me for a loop. I have never smelled such a luscious primrose.
Like far too many objects of horticultural desire, the primrose had no plant tag. The counter clerk could not enlighten me either. After returning home and making up the birdbath arrangement, I turned to the internet, plus my catalog and reference book collection to find out more about the sweet-smelling primrose.
Its configuration marked it as something other than the common Primula vulgaris that all of us see at the end of winter in retail outlets. These plants feature a rosette of lettuce-like leaves accented by brightly colored, single flowers. My primrose bears basal leaves, but the stems are taller than many of the vulgaris types and the flowers are bunched together. Since the Primulaceae family is home to about 400 species and even more cultivated varieties and hybrids, identification can be a little like a needle in a haystack. The good news is that relatively few of those species, varieties and hybrids are widely available in commerce. Taking all of that into account, I think my primula is probably a hybrid or variety of Japanese primula or Primula japonica.
Not surprisingly, Japanese primrose is native to Japan. It was first described by the great nineteenth century American botanist and Harvard professor, Asa Gray. In the species, the flowers are usually purple-red, perhaps somewhat close in color to the blooms on mine. Popular varieties include ‘Apple Blossom,’ which stands up to 18 inches tall and features the same whorls of small flowers in pale pink with darker rose eyes. Some vendors also carry Japonica mixtures, which combine shades of white, red, pink and purple.
On the road to identifying my new Japonica, I came across some other particularly fragrant primrose varieties. As often happens in such situations, I fell in love. The object of this affection was an old-fashioned-looking, double Primula vulgaris or common primrose, dubbed Belarina by its modern German breeders. As with many plants today, the Belarina series encompasses a large handful of fragrant, double primrose varieties in an array of colors including ‘Cream,’ ‘Pink Ice,’ red-flowered ‘Valentine,’ ‘Yellow Ruffle,’ ‘Buttercup,’ ‘Cobalt Blue’ and the absolutely stunning ‘Amethyst Ice,’ featuring narrow white petal edges against a blue-purple background.
The flowers on each of these extravagant little gems look like small roses, with ruffled petal edges, making the small plants look like flower-encrusted lettuces. Planted in consistently moist soil in light shade and well mulched, both the Japonicas and the vulgaris primulas are completely undemanding. Best of all, if deadheaded, they will bloom more than once a season and are hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8.
Primroses tend to be less attractive to deer than some other species, which is a plus in about two thirds of the gardens I know. They are also a good investment plant. Every couple of years they can be easily dug up with a trowel, divided with the fingers and replanted or given away. Doing the latter will definitely endear you to friends with shade gardens. The best time to divide is right after the plants bloom, but if you are busy when that time rolls around, do it whenever the opportunity presents itself. Just make sure to water the new divisions thoroughly and regularly.
As far as using the plants in the garden, the sky is the limit. Both Japonicas and vulgaris types work well in all kinds of containers and the edges of flower or vegetable beds and borders. The fragrance makes them perfect for highly trafficked areas, but if you can stand to put them out of reach of your nose, they will also bring bright spots of color to woodland landscapes.
Since I am now officially besotted with scented primroses, I have adopted a two-pronged survival strategy. The Japonica that started me on this passion is scenting my dining room at this very moment. I many purchase a friend for it, if I can find one. While I regale my nose with that fragrance, I will order a few of the Belarina series of double vulgaris primroses. I think I will start with ‘Cream’ and ‘Amethyst Ice’ for a nice contrast. Any group of plants that can simultaneously banish winter blues and stale smells in the short term, while warding off the prospect of deer and shade come spring, has my fullest support.
Local garden centers will carry selections of primroses in the spring. In the meantime, try Bluestone Perennials, 7211 Middle Ridge Rd • Madison, OH 44057, (800) 852-5243, www.bluestoneperennials.com. Free catalog.