Categories

• Landscaping
• Local Interests
• Plants
• Wildlife

Growing primulas

There's nothing wrong with instant gratification. Who can resist the appeal of primulas at this time of year? Certainly not me.

I visited the garden centre a couple of weeks ago to buyseed-sowing compost (much better than multi-purpose for this particular job). On my arrival I was confronted with beds of stunning primulas, all at their peak.

Colour is lacking at the end of February as we wait for the early bulbs to bloom. A few brave grape hyacinths are showing colour, and daffodils surge higher every day. All they need is some extra warmth to encourage them to burst into flower.

Until that finally happens, I'm putting some of the empty summer patio pots to good use by packing them with primulas.

And what a choice there is. Of course there are mixtures, as I'm often told these sell best. They're not for me. Their 'kaleidoscope' effect is a little brash and lacking in – how can I put this? – style. I want to choose the colours and theme my pots to create more impact. Planting several pots of different heights and sizes then allows me to group them together into displays.

March can be a dry month (apologies if it's raining relentlessly in your area), so do keep ensure your primula pots are kept well watered. Adding an occasional liquid feed won't go amiss either. Then keep picking off faded flowers to make way for new ones growing up from the base.

So far the displays are looking great, but in previous years I have found sparrows start pecking away the leaves. I'm not sure if they're hungry and simply like the taste, so I'm keeping seed feeders well stocked in the hope these satisfy their appetites and keep them off my primulas.