Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Primulaceae
Botanical Name
PRIMULA japonica
Plant Common Name
Japanese Primrose
General Description
Lush, light green rosettes of leaves anchor the tall flower stems of Japanese primrose in mid- to late-spring. Its clusters of colorful purple-red blossoms are perched on tall, leafless stems that rise from the center of each rosette. This deciduous, clump-forming perennial is native to northern Japan where it lives in moist wooded areas. Today many cultivars are available with a wider range of colors and heights.
In early spring, the leaves of Japanese primrose are among the first to appear in the garden. They are light green, oblong to broadly spoon-shaped and have edges that are either scalloped or toothed. In mid-spring (or slightly later in cooler regions), tall stems arise from the center of each rosette with one to six separate whorls of flowers that appear at different heights along the stem. Wild forms have tubular purple-red flowers with yellow eyes, but highly cultivated Japanese primrose come in a wide range of colors, including white, pink, purple, yellow and rich red.
Grow Japanese primrose in full sun to partial shade and deep, moist, humus-rich soil. In full sun exposures the soil must be very moist, yet aerated. In colder areas, light protective mulch will help the plants overwinter. Plant Japanese primrose in moist woodlands, bog gardens or along the banks of streams and ponds. They gently self-sow and will naturalize if allowed to.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
4 - 8
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Sunset Zone
A3, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 15, 16, 17
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
16"-18" / 40.6cm - 45.7cm
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Width
12"-16" / 30.5cm - 40.6cm
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
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Native To
Japan
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Bog Garden, Mixed Border
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
Yes
