Auricula Auriculas are striking primulas, with beautiful, contrasting colours. They range from near black and white to the more flashy yellow and crimson. Grow them in pots to highlight their incredible colours.

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Recommended varieties Growing tips

Problem solver Where to see them

Specialist collectors traditionally arrange the pots in 'auricula theatres' to frame their prize exhibits. Originally, they had the finest powdery coating and a mealy paste around the flower centre. But, in the middle of the 1800s, a new range of alpine auriculas appeared with larger flowers and an astonishing range of colours, enhanced by a prominent white or gold disc in the centre. These alpine auriculas were an instant hit and, though they can be grown outside in rock gardens or to the front of a border, they invariably look best in a cold greenhouse where their look isn't ruined by rain.

There are two kinds of spring-flowering auricula, the alpine and border.

Alpine auriculas

• P. 'Adrian': an attractive display of light bluish-purple petals with a light-coloured centre.
• P. 'Joy': the rich crimson flowers have a velvet-like texture set against a light centre; it often does well in amateur shows.
• P. 'Prince John': highly distinctive with a big gold centre surrounded by maroon.

Border auriculas

They are ideally suited to the British climate, and are typically found in cottage gardens, many having sweetly scented flowers. The yellow varieties, such as the late spring 'Old Irish Scented', have the strongest scents. Some old types have splendid names, such as 'Rosemarket Rackler' and 'George Swinford's Leathercoat'. 'Old Irish Blue' is still one of the best and most sought-after border auriculas.

• P. 'Blairside Yellow': a fresh show of bright yellow flowers.
• P. 'Old Yellow Dusty Miller': similar to the wild primula, it has a lovely head of yellow flowers. There are various other 'Dusty Miller' types in different colours.

Alpine auriculas

Site and soil preferences: Provide bright sun or light, partial shade and fertile, well-drained compost. Add handfuls of grit to John Innes No2 and mix well together.

Watering and feeding: Never let them completely dry out or stand in water, which can be fatal. Keep the soil moist and they'll thrive. And provide a regular liquid feed from early spring until the first flower buds start to colour.

Annual care: Repot every spring, and put the plants in 7.5 to 10cm (3 to 4in) containers filled with fresh soil. Varieties with double flowers are especially hungry, and only produce their magnificent, tightly packed flowers when generously fed.

Propagation: Taking offsets after flowering is the only reliable method of propagation for named auriculas. But this can be a very slow process because sometimes only two offshoots from the central rosette of leaves will appear in a year. They are attached quite low down on the main stem, and it is often possible to tease them away with some roots. Pot them up in small containers, and keep somewhere shady until they are well established.

Border auriculas

Site and soil preferences: They need rich, moist soil with light shade for part of the day, ideally around midday. The sunnier the position, the wetter the soil should be.

Planting associations

Ideal companions include clumps of pulmonarias, dwarf tulips, wood anemones and small ferns.

P. auricula is susceptible to attack by vine weevils. The plump, creamy-white grubs munch their way through the fleshy roots but, by the time a plant is visibly flagging, it is often too late to act.

A good precaution is to mix soil insecticide into the compost; also grow border varieties in different parts of the garden so that at least some survive. If being grown in a cold greenhouse, make sure that it is well-ventilated to avoid an attack of red spider mites.

National Collections of Auricula

Dr V Woolley
Field House Alpines Nursery
Leake Road
Gotham
Nottingham
Nottinghamshire NG11 OJN
Tel: 0115 983 0278
Opening times: By appointment only

L Roberts and G Dawson
Pops Cottage
Barford Lane
Downton
Salisbury
Wiltshire SP5 3PZ
Tel: 01725 511 421
www.popsplants.com
Opening times: By appointment only

LA Allen
Windy Ridge
Llandrindod
Wells
Powys, LD1 5NY
Opening times: By appointment only

W and S Lockyer
39 Mitchley Avenue
Riddlesdown
Purley
Surrey CR8 1BZ
Tel: 020 8660 1336
Opening times: By appointment only

M Darwell - NC Coordinator, Leeds City Council
Stable Courtyard
Temple Newsam Estate
Leeds
Yorkshire, LS15 9TP
Tel: 01437 710 542
Opening times: Open daily during daylight hours