Practical
Plants

Primula parryi

a perennial member of the Primula genus in the family Primulaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Primula
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The flowers contain anthocyanins. These chemicals are the colouring material of many flowers and they can be used as a litmus, turning red when in an acid medium, changing to purple and blue as the medium becomes alkaline[4].

Product or use
Litmus

Environment

Range
Western N. America - Montana to New Mexico, west to Nevada and Idaho.
Habitat
Damp shady rocky mountain habitats, in cliff crevices and often by alpine streams[3].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[2]. Sow stored seed in early spring in a cold frame[1]. Germination is inhibited by temperatures above 20°c[3]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in autumn. This is best done every other year[3].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a deep moist but well-drained humus-rich soil in full or part shade[3]. Plants are often long-lived in cultivation[3]. Plants emit a strong odour that is said to resemble carrion[3].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00

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  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  4. Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093

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