The mail order catalogues and newspapers are carrying lots of adverts for plug plants. Pansies, Violas and Primroses seem the most popular offerings and will give a good show next spring.

Rosebud Primroses

• Some plants have captured the imagination of growers and this year it certainly applies to Rosebud Primroses.
• These double Primroses have a sweet fragrance when you get close to the flowers.
• The display is generally in a vivid mixture of colours including warm shades.
• They flower in late Autumn and early Spring.
• Thompson & Morgan search for seeds and plants

Plug Plant Sizes and Tips

• Large plugs arrive when the plants are 4″ tall with several healthy leaves. They are often packed in 24’s.
• Small plugs are often just better than germinated seedlings. Usually packed in larger quantities, 120’s, for growing on.
• Medium plugs may be 2-3″ high plants depending on supplier.
• If you can give better conditions by potting up the plugs and growing them on then do so.
• If you are going to grow in containers or window boxes you may want to plant them directly into there final home.

Primrose Growing Tips

• Primroses tend to flower on short stems. Polyanthus have longer stems and more delicate flowers.
• Primroses can have masses of flowers on one plant and will provide a splash of colour if planted in neutral or slightly acid soil.
• Double Primroses like a partially shaded position and large quantities of organic matter.
• Rosebud Primroses do not set seed, but the plant will keep producing blooms in an effort to set seed.
• Strong flowering exhausts the plant and they need  extra feeding and watering with a weak solution of high potash or tomato fertiliser from when buds first appear.
• Pick some  blooms for the house as they keep well in water.

Spring flowering Primroses are plants I am happy to buy mail order. They are easier and more reliable than growing from seed. The choice is improving although if you want a particular variety you will have to DIY.