Cheerful Primula and polyanthus offer great value, flowering their hearts out for weeks on end.

New varieties offer outstanding garden performance, larger flowers and better resistance to the vagaries of our weather. Although single-coloured flowers are always popular, bicolours, double and rosebud types plus wonderfully scented new varieties will make attractive pick-up purchases.

Bold blocks of primulas always look striking, but impressive displays can also be created by combining them with other spring bedding, flowering bulbs and foliage plants too (see below) Offer them together so customers can create instant displays for the borders, patio or courtyard.
Pictured: cowslips (Primula veris) [Image: Adam Pasco Media]

For summer colour, top primulas include:

Japanese Candelabra Primula (Primula japonica)

Chinese Candelabra Primula (Primula beesiana)

Orange Bulley’s Candelabra Primula (Primula bulleyana)

Top tip

Advise customers who complain that birds sometimes peck at primrosesto try moving pots closer to the house to deter them. Some people have noted that blue varieties often escape their attention.

Planting companions might include bedding daisies (Bellis), bugle (Ajuga), daffodils and narcissi and forget-me-nots (Myosotis).