Primula sieboldii, is a fun little primula with lots of variation in its flowers in both color and petal shape. It blooms after many other primulas and its flowers last for more than 4 weeks. It is a great addition to any shade garden.
The Japanese call it Sakurasou, the cherry blossom herb and they have been breeding and cultivating it since the sixteenth century. Other common names include Japanese primrose, Siebold’s primrose, cherry blossom primrose and Asiatic primrose.
I must have a dozen different flower clones and all of them are from seed mixtures, such as the one available from the Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society Seedex. This primula cross breeds easily and it’s quite common to get variety of flower forms from a single seed pack.
Some sources suggest planting seeds as soon as they are ripe, even in the green state. I have had no problem germinating dry seed in late winter.
They make excellent cut flowers and last more than a week in water. They spread into large colonies by shallow underground rhizomes, but they are easily controlled. If they get too dry they will become dormant and go underground in late summer.
Primula sieboldii
(PRIM-yew-la see-BOLD-ee-eye)
Life Cycle: perennial
Height: 20cm (8in)
Bloom Time: late spring
Natural Range: East Asia
Habitat: damp meadows and light forests
Synonyms: Auganthus sieboldii, Primula cortudoides
Cultivation of Primula sieboldii:
Light: part shade
Soil: well drained and moisture retentive
Water: average to wet, but does not like standing water
USDA Hardiness Zone: (3?) 4-8
Propagation: seed, division
I found that you have a spelling error above with the synonym Primula cortudoides with a ‘d’ instead of ‘s’. when I copied and pasted it into Google. But I am confused. I have Primula cortusoides in my zone 3 garden in Alberta and can find many google articles on it but not on Wikipedia. I try to keep up-to-date with the Latin names and changes. Your article is telling me that it is now Primula sieboldii. Thanks for the information. I rely on your expertise and garden knowledge and frequently pass on your website address to others.
Rob: Were you at U of Guelph??
Yes
Hi Robert
You are the man ! Thanks for your work.
Would you mind a suggestion? In addition to the actual plant name which you are currently using, adding the common name too, or something to that effect, since laypeople like me will seldom use or remember the scientific name.
Cheers!
Michael
Every one of these posts includes the common names that I found.