American Primrose Society Quarterly Winter Issue 1984 President's Message Volume 42, Number 1 Published January 27,1984 May 1984 be a happy New Year for all! Nineteen-eighty three ended in sorrow for me. After a four year battle with Copyright 1948 cancer my wife, Dorothy, died on November 26. It is because of our many Entered 2nd Class, Edmonds, Washington plant oriented friends and our work with primroses and in the American Primrose Society that I can look forward to a full and enjoyable life. Plans are in the works to make the Spring 1984 issue of the APS Quarterly a memorial issue for Dorothy. In this issue So far this has been a severe winter for the entire United States. Here in the President's Message 3 Pacific Northwest we have a start for a typical bad winter with a week of zero The Origin of the Barnhaven temperatures before Christmas followed by warm and rainy growing weather. Cowichan 4 Daytime high's in the 50's and no frost at night. To complete the typical bad by Florence Bellis On the cover winter we sometimes have two more deep freeze periods after warm growing Propagation of Some Genera in weather. These false springs confuse many plants into starting their growth in Primula auricula var. albocincta, one the Family Primulacaea 9 the midddle of winter. This adds to our definition of a hardy plant 'the ability by Robert E. Straughen of the many species of the Auricula to stay dormant until late spring and survive long periods of winter rain Section discussed by Alice Hills Ray lor The Primrose from without drowining or rotting'. There are a lot of cold hardy primula species Garryard, Ireland 12 in her article The Auricula Primroses that are difficult or impossible to grow here without special protection. Each on page 14. Photograph by Larry Bailey. by E. Charles Nelson section of our country has its own problems for primula, mainly fluctuations of winter temperatures without a reliable snow cover and variations in summer The APS Open Door 13 heat along with its humidity. The Auricula Primroses 14 Sometimes we can grow a species for a few years. We think we have learned by Alice Hills Baylor the secret; then, one of these exceptional winters or summers happen and we Primula Production 18 lose them. That is when the great advantage of the seed exchange comes in. by John G. Seeley Since primula are easy from seed, we can get seed and start over if people have 1984 National Show 22 shared their harvested supply. Sometimes thru repeated efforts with seed saved Resource Directory 1984 23 from plants in captivity a species may adapt to cultivated conditions and Primula Names and Prefixes 28 become a reliable garden plant. by William G. Holt For this reason it is important to save seed from all species you grow, plant APS Seed Exchange 29 again and select. This is generally a slow process of change; but, not always. From the Mailbox . . 33 Drastic mutations occasionally occur. We should all be looking for the mutations that result in a more desirable garden plant and increase that plant by seed, division, or cuttings as circumstances dictate. Don't just grow pretty flowers. Accept the challenge of taming new species by growing them from seed, selecting superior seedlings, sowing their seed and continuing the process. It will add a stimulating purpose to your life and "PRIMROSES (ISSN 0162-6671) is maybe you will be able to contribute a new and better plant to the world. published quarterly by American Primrose, Auricula and Primula Herb Dickson Society, 2568 Jackson Highway, Chehalis, WA 98532. Second-class postage paid at Edmonds, Washing- ton and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PRIMROSES, 1570 9th Ave., N., Edmonds, WA 98020." obtained it from the Nories. They (R.H.S. 1918); 'Wanda' (1919); and The Origin of the increased it and showed it in their the violet-blue 'Bunty' (1926), were exhibits in Spring Shows in the old first generation crosses between P. Willows Point Building in Victoria. juliae and red and violet-blue varie- Barnhaven Cowichan The Palmers Garden was the first to ties of P. vulgaris. Because Wanda distribute the Cowichan Primula had found a place in everyone's by Florence Bellis commercially." garden and hung on to it, she and a Lincoln City, Oregon Others also arranged Cowichan red polyanthus were thought to have exhibits at the Victoria Spring Shows been bee-crossed to produce the The origin and development of the first as to its parentage and, later, the "made up from plants and flowers original Cowichan clone. Later I will true Cowichan polyanthuses — that exact place of origin on Vancouver collected in the Cowichan Valley". give my reason for now thinking this siren strain whose beauty lures and Island, eventually hardened into Visitors began asking the Palmers impossible. ensnares all who come within her legend. That the plant became known "where they could buy the Cowichan But first, if we are going to consider range — has, in the last decade or so, as 'Cowichan', an Indian name Primula, and it was in this way that the the original clone a hybrid, the became a matter of myth, hearsay meaning "valley where the sun Primula received the name 'Cowi- bronze-leaved 'Garryardes' should be and conjecture. As the originator I shines", was the one clear fact cling- chan'". We all can understand why taken into account. A letter from Dr. feel moved to go back over my records ing to it. Now, by the rarest piece of "the Nories were not very happy over Brian Morley, National Botanic and pass on the true and, I think, luck, an accurate account of the exact the change of name from 'Norns' to Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin, states: interesting story of this strain origin of place and name has just 'Cowichan' . . . ". Cowichan Station, "Professor Clarke (University popularly considered to be the most been received, sweeping aside a in the Cowichan Valley, is but a short College, Dublin) has written me outstandingly beautiful in the hun- mystery that has puzzled the primrose drive into the countryside from about Garryarde primroses. So far as I dred year history of the garden poly- world for so many years. Victoria. And Victoria! That lovely can find out they began as a group in anthus. It is the story of a flower that Acting on my request, a British English-flavoured, flower bedecked 1895 in the garden of Mr. Whiteside put itself without reservation into the Columbia nursery friend of long city sitting on the very southern tip Dane, Garryarde, Co. Kildare with hands of its hybridizer. standing sent out word to those who of Vancouver Island, was but a long cv. Apple Blossom, a putative mutant Otherwise how could a hybrid be might be able to beam some light day's journey by car and ferry from of P. vulgaris, having pink flowers fixed to faithfully reproduce from into the fog of origin. We have Mrs. Barnhaven in Oregon. and bronze leaves . . .". Then: seed all the caracteristics of a parent David Barton of Nanaimo to thank After some ten years of busy propa- "Could Apple Blossom have been a clone in a few generations ? How for contacting Mr. and Mrs. Cedric gation by numerous nurseries trying hybrid involving P. vulgaris and could it then be expanded from its Myers who, through a mutal friend, to keep pace with the ever growing another primula available at that time original dark garnet shade into lighter went to the very source—Beatrice demand, the clones — of necessity with red genes for flower and foli- and deeper shades of garnet and Palmer of the widely known Palmer sliced thinner and thinner—became age?". amethyst and eventually on to blues Gardens of that day. Miss Palmer's exceedingly frail. My struggling sterile Apple Blossom appeared exactly deep enough to drown in? How, firsthand knowledge gives us, at last, mite bloomed only once in 1942 fifteen years before P. juliae was then, could it be cajoled into pro- an unclouded picture of the clone before passing on, but that one last introduced into England from the ducing the most stunning and unfor- Cowichan's beginnings and my gasp gave me enough pollen to start Caucasus — a fact which disproves gettable of all polyanthus, in my gratitude to her cannot be measured. producing a husky, free-flowering, popular thought that the bronzed leaf opinion, the Venetian reds—pink- The Myers forwarded to me this fertile replica of the clone. The foun- is always inherited from the P. juliae toned reds often with a black bee, historic account: dation for the Cowichan strain was line. More importantly to me, the that mysterious, unexplainable laid. Garryards I have seen, including thumb print? And all of them, "ORIGIN OF COWICHAN But the riddle of the clone's parent- Guinevere, were acaulis-polyanthus whatever the shade or color, bearing PRIMULA. It was first found in Major age remains unsolved, and as I dig seemingly unable to shake off the the singular stamp of the original L. Knocker's garden on Old Koksilah into my records I am convinced that it acaulis form of Apple Blossom. Cowichan clone—no yellow eye to Road, Cowichan Station, in the early never will be. Because of its bronze- Guinevere, with its soft pink flowers, diminish the solid ground color 1930s. Major Knocker gave it to L. touched leaves, intermediate size and yellow eye and bronzed foliage, was glowing with the hot sheen of live Norie on Old Koksilah Road, who general appearance, the common widely grown in British Columbia at coals, and a classic perfection of truss then called it 'Norns' after the name assumption was that it carried Juliana the time of Cowichan's appearance. and stalk. of their home. It was also given to Joe blood. However, the only Julianas in But, because of the flawed form, I The polyanthus that sired all this Fall, Hillbank Gardens, by either the general circulation prior to Cowi- doubt it could have been involved in beauty burst upon a gardening public Knockers or the Nodes. The Palmer chan's appearance were of cushion, or producing Cowichan's inexorably with such impact that suppositions, Gardens, Cherry Point Road, acaulis, form. Two magentas, 'Jewel' straight-laced polyanthus posture. The remaining conjectural possibil- stitution transferred to the newly as by-products of the blue Cowichan strain of true pinks. She named it ity is that the strain's pollen parent, born Cowichan strain. It was listed for program and later were segregated Crown Pink for the fretted ridge Cowichan, sprang full blown and the first time in Barnhaven's 1949 and fixed to produce the Amethyst circling the throat—known as the perfect from the head of Zeus as did catalog: "COWICHAN STRAIN— series. But the Venetian Cowichans, rose crown, a puckering caused by the seed parent, Kwan Yin. Both Three generations removed from the based as they are on the New Pinks, continued cross-pollination which passed their proud carriage on to their named variety 'Cowichan' but with will take a little longer because I thickens petal substance — and of offspring. In forty years of breeding the same smoldering lustre and believe that the authentic, firsthand course for the limpid, soft shade of not one plant has displayed a hint of almost absent eye. Colors are intense account of the development of wild rose pink. acaulis form—with one exception. It garnet to almost black garnet, ox- today's truly pink polyanthuses After tracing her advertisements in took seven generations to breed out blood ruby . . . clusters neat and should be put on record for their sake the American Primrose Society's the last vestige of acaulis from the compact on dark, wiry stems". as well as the Venetian's. Quarterlies, I find the first offer of blue Cowichans — three or four Kwan Yin continued to be listed off The first known clear pink in poly- Crown Pink seed in the October, 1950 generations after the eyeless blue and on as a named variety throughout anthus history appeared in Miss Linda issue. In 1947 she brought me a few came steadfast and true from seed. the '40s, but clonal propagation Eickman's garden in the little town of of her plants, not quite as frail as their Fourteen years to breed out my could not keep up with its spreading Dayton (Oregon) early in the 1940s founding parents but still in delicate mistake of using a blue acaulis simply fame after it was mass-displayed at from a packet of Toogood's seed. She health from which they never fully because it had the smallest eye on the the American Primrose Society's first brought this tiny scrap of ethereal recovered. At the time all other pinks, place. The time could have been cut show (1942) in Portland (Oregon). loveliness to me in its maiden bloom so-called, carried a load of lavender in half had I used a blue polyanthus Contrary to legend, it was Kwan Yin, with an equally forlorn but inferior that stuck like glue. By using the regardless of eye. not Cowichan, that Frank Reinelt pink (from the same sowing) in a little pollen of her pink princesses on my In the 1930s the best red polyanthus (Vetterle & Reinelt, Capitola, Califor- round wicker basket. Some things we robust and hardy lavender-pink strain on the market was Sutton & nia) first used in his Pacific Strain— never forget. She made the hundred peasants. Barnhaven in 1954 offered: Sons' Brilliance. There was one plant its "brilliant flame red" to brighten mile bus trip to Gresham and back to "PASTELS: Apple blossom, wild from my initial packet of seed that "our reds, up to that time a dull ask, "Shall I self-pollinate the true rose, mallow pink, peach, rose, coral, was truly brilliant — a flashing magenta". I well remember our spar- pink, or cross-pollinate the two?". In raspberry and maraschino". In 1958 Chinese red with an exquisitely ring conversation as to the size of all my years of hybridizing I have these, with additional shades, were pointed gold star; almost black wiry Kwan Yin's blooms, then and there- never self-pollinated a plant, so she listed as NEW PINKS, all of which stalk, tall and slender, and dark foot- after. Later he incorporated the cross-pollinated the two and began still come true from seed. By that stalks; compact, deep green foliage. Cowichan strain for a different the process of selection and fixing her time Miss Eickman had passed on. The entire plant suggested the purpose. elegant form and line of the Chinese Kwan Yin's popularity made it goddess of mercy, Kwan Yin, and so apparent that it would eventually go it was named. Sufficient stock had the way of most primula clones, that been built up to list it as a named if it was to persist it would have to be variety in 1942. As I looked from this as a strain. A reciprocal cross was vigorously flowering plant to the made by enlisting the clearest red weakly blooming Cowichan (knowing polyanthus of faultless form, selecting it to be sterile perhaps from over- and stabilizing the progeny for three propagation) I realized that the generations and, in 1950, it was glorious British Columbian's years as offered as a strain which continued a clone were numbered. It would have into the '60s. It was then taken over to be reproduced as a strain and, from by the sultry Little Egypt series named among all the reds in bloom, Kwan in a light moment for the belly dancer Yin was chosen as the logical seed who stunned spectators at the bearer. Chicago World's Fair. After three generations of selecting However, I am suddenly aware that out and cross-pollinating the progeny this history is becoming detailed of this union, Kwan Yin's flame was beyond casual interest and will finish extinguished, the precision-stamped the Cowichan story as briefly as star eliminated as though it had never possible. The amethyst shades can be been, the dark stem and happy con- passed over quickly since they began Barnhaven P. x cowichan 'Strawberry' Her Original strains have long ceased ous black bee. Where did this beauty to exist but they live on in health and patch come from, how did it get Propagation of Some Genera in hardiness in Barnhaven's New Pinks there? Perhaps we shall never know, and Desert Sunsets. And she lives on any more than we shall ever know the the Family Primulacaea for all who knew this self-effacing, bloodline of Major Knocker's gentle nurse who gave us our first Cowichan. In this connection I am sight of a truly pink-pink polyanthus. struck by the reputed 18th century by Robert E. Straughen These first wide-eyed New Pinks eyeless polyanthus 'Bartimeus', which Belper, Derbyshire, England started me dreaming of an eyeless Roy Genders describes (THE POLY- pink Cowichan strain. Light garnet ANTHUS, pp/70 and 105) as having The family Primulacaea consists of for germination, but high tempera- Cowichans and raspberry and mara- petals of velvety crimson-black with a some 500 genera, mainly from the tures appear to suppress germination. schino pinks fought it out for years, more compact eye than the Cowi- Northern Hemisphere; there are 28 Cuttings of shingle rosettes taken neither quite winning by 1964 when chans and still extant. genera in the Alpine flora including from the base of the plant, inserted in the first Venetian Cowichans were So perhaps we should just accept Androsace, Cyclamen, Dodecatbeon, a sandy compost in an unheated exhibited in a Portland show. They without question the fact that another Douglasia, and Primula. propagating case in June root in four were as sensational then as they are unusual polyanthus appeared out of weeks. Care should be taken to keep now in shades of strawberry, Venetian nowhere in Major Knocker's garden Androsace. These are mainly rosettes dry at this stage and spraying and mandarin reds with the same hot and stop scrutinizing it like the European with a few species coming with Benlate after inserting the cut- sheen—are they pink-reds or red- foolish lover who examines his be- from North America and Asis. The tings is beneficial. pinks?— eyeless, often with a black loved's complexion under a genera is divided into four sections bee as though someone had been in magnifying glass. Perhaps we should 4. Andraspis - these are all annuals according to habit and flower charac- and have no appeal to the alpine the coal bin and then pressed a just enjoy the glorious descendants of teristics; these are as follows: thumb on the base of each petal. this plant which, for thirty-four years gardener. Small wonder they are fancied by now, have brought so much pleasure 1. Pseudoprimula - not of very great gardeners and by those who claim and beauty and which could, just interest to the alpine gardener. Cyclamen. The hardy species are all them as their own origination. possibly, continue to do so for several 2. Cbamaejasme - This section in- good garden plants and are very The first blue Cowichans of perfect hundred years more. cludes such species as C. lanugi- popular, e.g. C, bederaefolium, form also made their debut at this nosa, sarmentosa, primuloides coum, europaeum, repandum, etc. same show. And as with the Reprinted from the National Auricula and villosa. These are raised from seeds sown as soon as ripe (July-August). Seeds Venetians the deeply glowing overlay- & Primula Society (Southern Section), These are all rosette plants, pro- was often dramatized by the mysteri- England, Yearbook 1983. must be sown J/4'' deep and the ducing runners which provide an easy resulting seedlings overwintered in a method of vegetative propagation. cold frame. Old seeds are erratic in Young plantlets produced on the germination and should be soaked in ends of the runners are removed in water for 24 hours before sowing. In June and rooted in trays of rooting most cases ripening seeds must be compost in a closed cold frame. Seeds protected from ants and mice. may be sown in January in trays placed in a shaded situation in the Dodecatheon. All are North Ameri- open. can found growing in the western 3. Aretia - these are the gems of the mountains. Very popular plants, but genus, producing tufted cushion somewhat disconcerting to the plants, many of which do not grow amateur gardener due to the foliage well in wet winters. The following dying back early in the season. are popular species—A. cylindri- Popular species are D. clevelandii, ca, imbricata, hirtella, pyrenaica. bendersonii, media, and Flowers appear to be pollinated by pauciflorum. flies and all set seeds freely. Seeds are Seeds should be sown as soon as ripe best sown in January in trays and in June and placed in the open when placed in the open where they germi- the seedlings emerge in March or Barnbaven P. x cowicban pink nate freely. Cold is not a requirement April. Division of the crowns may be carried out as soon as the foliage dies for the required period. John Innes Nivales section - seeds of species in taken either after flowering or in back. They may also be propagated seed compost (minus calcium this section are relatively easy to August, inserted in a peat and sand from root cuttings 11A " to 1 Va'' long carbonate) is used for sowing. This is germinate provided they are sown compost and placed in a shaded cold taken when the foliage dies back in put into trays and covered with Vi'' of fresh. Seedlings need careful frame. June. 2 to 3 mm grit and the seeds are broad handling when pricking out, watering Root cuttings may be taken to cast on the surface and washed into in with Benlate solution. increase P. denticulata, and is prac- Douglasia. This genus is very closely the grit with a fine-rosed watering P. chionantha and P. melanops ticed to obtain good colour forms. related to the Androsaces. There are 5 can. seeds benefit from cold storage. Strong roots removed in June, North American and one European The following are popular nursery Sikkimensis section - all species in chopped into lengths of 1 Vi" to species. The most popular are D, species: this section do well under high mois- IVi", dusted with Benlate, and laevigata and var. ciliolata, D. vitali- Cortusoides section - mainly wood- ture, producing copious seeds which mixed with chopped sphagnum moss ana, and var. praetutiana. These may land species from Japan and eastern germinate freely. are placed in clear polythene bags. be raised from seeds sown in trays in Himalayas. These do not require cold P. alpicola - seeds are best sown in These are hung in a cool, well-lit the open in January. Cuttings for germination but fresh seed and March. situation until roots and buds can be inserted in sandy compost in a closed, exposure to light is essential. P. florindae - fresh and stored seed seen, then the cuttings are removed unheated frame in May or June root P, sieboldii, best sown in March or germinate well. Cold treatment is and potted by individually. Alter- readily. April. helpful. natively, portions of root are inserted Vernales section - European species P. ioessa - cold treatment is desirable vertically in trays of sandy compost Primula. This is a genus of over 500 including our native primrose, for germinating seeds, with the top of the cutting level with species, mostly European. Most cowslip, and oxslip. These are easy Candelabra section - this is a large the surface of the compost and placed species have long and short-styled providing they are not exposed to section with 12 species in general in a cold frame. Polarity of the root flowers (pin and thrum eyed), there- temperatures above 20° C. cultivation. Seeds produce large cutting is important; they should be fore cross pollination is necessary to Farinosae section - this is the largest plants and require moist conditions. inserted with the proximal end obtain seeds. section in the genus of which approx- P. aurantiaca - stored seeds sown in uppermost. The genus is divided into 30 sec- imately 20 species are in cultivation. March germinate well. Leaf cuttings may be used to in- tions according to growth habit and They are mainly Asiatic but some are P. bulleyana - seeds germinate well crease species in the Petiolares section, flower characteristics. All are very from North Europe, North and South under all conditions. e.g. P. whitei, bhutanica, bracteosa, good garden plants but many are America. P. cockburnia - soak seeds for 24 edgeworthii, gracilipes, and scapigera. extremely difficult to accommodate. P. Farinosa - very variable; cold hours before sowing. Mature leaves at the base of the plant All may be raised from seeds, and treatment does not appear to be P. japonica - 6 month old seeds are pulled sideways in August or light is a requirement for germination required and seedlings may take two germinate best. Seeds should be strat- September. These will have a small with most. It is generally accepted years to emerge. ified and not exposed to temperatures bud present at the base of the petiole. that seeds should be sown fresh as P. frondosa - very easy under all above 15° C. Insert vertically in a sandy compost so soon as ripe, but this is only true of conditions. P. pulverulenta - seeds germinate that approximately l/4 " of the petiole the species in the Petiolaris section. P. modesta • Japanese species and best at temperatures between 10 °C is buried and placed in a cold frame. Seeds of others may be stored until very easy, and!5°C. Rooting normally occurs within a October or March. P. rosea - if seeds are sown as soon as Auricula section - these are all from month. Dried seeds often fail to germinate ripe they germinate within a month. the European Alps and seeds germi- Trays of seeds which do not if exposed to low temperatures, but Denticulata section - P. denticulata nate best when exposed to cold. germinate in the first spring occasion- they will all germinate best when they is the only species commonly found in P. auricula - fresh seeds germinate ally become covered with mosses and are exposed to fluctuating tempera- gardens. Seeds require exposure to well without cold. liverworts. Both of these pernicious tures between 10° and 20° C. Above light and temperatures within 10 °C P. integrifolia, P. marginata, P. "weeds" are controlled by watering 25 °c seeds fail to germinate. In prac- and 15 ° C for germination. minima and P. pubescens all require with a solution of Algofen which, in tice on our nursery we sow seeds in Capitatae section - P. capitata and exposure to light and cold. my experience, is extremely effective July or March and place in a shaded var. mooreana are easy and tolerant of VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION and does not appear to be phytotoxic frame. freezing and temperatures up to 40 ° C. to any plants we grow. Some species need to have the seeds M.uscarioides section - the most Division may be carried out on all Primulas and is best done after Editor's Note: Reprinted from The stratified. Imbibed seeds are stored popular species in this section is P. Plant Propagator, publication of the for four weeks at 5 ° C then mixed viali. This is easy if seeds are fresh flowering. Plants in all the Auricula section International Plant Propagators' with moist sand and placed in a poly- when sown, or stored cold and sown Society, Inc., by permission of the may be increased by stem cuttings thene bag and stored in a refrigerator in March in the open. editor. 10 11 pointed out by Cecil Monson, is the I am trying to put together what The Primrose from Garryard, Ireland origina/znd only Garryard primrose. information is still available, and to Confirmation of this date appears in trace any old records that may still a negative way. I have searched many survive. Perhaps in a future issue, I by E. Charles Nelson British horticultural journals as well as will be allowed to list our Irish National Botanic Gardens, the only contemporary Irish magazine primroses, plants like 'Guinivere', Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland (Irish Gardening published between 'KinloughBeauty', 'TipperaryPurple' 1906 and 1922) and can find no and 'Our Pat'. The complete list is reference to any Garryard (i.e. bronze not too long, but the list of those leaved primrose) before about 1930. which survive is very short. Had such a remarkable plant as It is sad that the little old primrose In various past issues of Primroses, Osbertstown Hill. About 1903 he 'Appleblossom' been widely available ladies of Ireland should have departed accounts have been published of some moved to Abbeyfield near Naas, but it would surely have been mentioned. from our knowledge. I do not know Irish primroses. Indeed, there is an it was not until 1912 that his address Indeed, several enthusiastic Irish when the legend began, but I was abiding legend — and I stress the was given as Garryard, Johnstown, writers, for example Miss Eda Hume, surprised some months ago to see a word legend — that Ireland is inhab- near Straff an in County Kildare—I hardly ever noted these bronze lady suggesting that perhaps some of ited by little old ladies who hoard stress again that Garryard is the cultivars before 1940. the old-fashioned primroses might primroses of ancient origin. It is not correct spelling (see Cecil Monson's With the passage of time, and a survive in the neglected gardens of true, absolutely not true. There are article in Fall 1977). At this time woeful lack of interest in recording Ireland. That is what Juliana Ewing some keen primrose growers in Dane was the deputy lieutenant for the history of our garden plants until wrote in 1884, one hundred years Ireland but I could count them on the the County, but by 1922 he had recent years, I fear we will never learn ago, in answer to an enquiry about fingers of one hand. I am not a retired and moved to County Cavan the true and accurate history of the hose-in-hose primroses! primrose fanatic myself, and so I in the north of the country. original primrose from Garryard. But, declare my interest in Irish cultivars To date, I have been unable to by saying that I am trying to compile obtain any further information about a list of all the garden flowers J. Whiteside Dane, but I am still (primroses included) that have been looking. The APS Open Door raised in Ireland since gardening The information provided by the To receive my first request through Mr. Gordon Emerson, 1850 Route began. Most recently I completed a records of the Kildare Archaeological the APS Open Door was quite a thrill! 45, Rock Creek, OH 44084 book on Irish garden plants and while Society suggest that the primrose he Since the Fall Quarterly 1983, Vol- Wanted: P. x polyanthus "Marie writing it, I tried to obtain informa- raised could not have originated ume 41, No. 4, I have been busy cor- Crousse" tion on some of our fine old prim- before 1912. Strangely, I found some responding with potential sources P. x Juliana "Edith" roses. As with so many other plants, I confirmation of this when I was (seedmen, nurseries, friends, etc.) P. x "Red Hugh" find that the histories published are looking through the records of the and the response has been most grati- Can Trade: P. x Juliana "Kinlough often incorrect in minor, but highly National Botanic Gardens. Mr. fying. The notes of encouragement Beauty" significant details. What I present Whiteside Dane was obviously not a have been wonderful! P. Juliana "Apple blossom" below is my information of the prim- well-known gardener, for he only As a brief reminder to members of Miscellaneous request rose from Garryard. receives one entry in the Gardens list the APS, the APS Open Door is an Wanted: Pictorial Dictionary of the Cecil Monson provided many basic of donations. In May 1919 he ideal opportunity to locate, trade, Cultivated Species of the facts in his article which was published obtained from Glasnevin the sell, and share primula plants, seeds, Genus Primula, published posthumously in Fall 1977 (vol. 35, following primroses—Primula ciliata, resources, knowledge and related by the American Primrose no. 4). He stated that the first P. 'Linda Pope', P. involucrata and P. items with other members via the Society. (Fair price offered). Garryard was raised by a 'certain Mr. ciliata 'Superba'. There is no record APS Open Door. Whiteside Dane1 and he appeared to of any gift to the Gardens from Dane, Anyone who would like to partici- The door is open, please write to: suggest a date about 1900. Mr. J. but in March 1920, less than one year pate in the APS Open Door can either Harriet Gurney Whiteside Dane was a prominent later, plants of "Dane's primrose" contact me or those who have already 42 Water Street citizen of County Kildare, a county were sent from Dublin to a gardener made a request. Fairfield, Maine lying west of Dublin, in the late 1800s in County Limerick. Mr. Harry Melcboir, Str des 13, Januar phone (207)453-2313 and early 1900s. In 1896 he was a I believe that this is the first record 85, 6620 Volklingen 4, West Germany member of the Kildare Archaeolog- of the plant that was later known as Wanted: P. x "Emily" (raised by ical Society and resided at Primula 'Appleblossom', which as Cyrus Happy) 12 13 parts. They do not need pampering sharply pointed leaves that are a glossy The Auricula Primroses and will readily grow in garden condi- dark green. The flowers are tubular in tions, especially useful in the rock a pure soft rose color with a startling by Alice Hills Baylor garden. The center is either deep or wide white eye. pale yellow with the petal color clear P. vicosa is also in this group and Stoive, Vermont and true. The little one called Search- has been often confused with P. light is a brilliant, glowing red. There hirsuta. It is a widely variable plant The European mountains are rich deners shy away from a plant which are pink, lavender and deep reds. The depending on where it is found grow- with those primroses that delight in suggests "an alpine" believing it will soil should be porous with stone ing in the Maritime Alps. The leaves calcareous crevices. They have distinct take special care or be short lived. Not chips, enriched with dry cow manure, are long, six to eight inches, and three characteristics which differ from the so with the garden auriculas which and wood ashes, and mulched with inches broad. The flowers are a one meadow primroses. The foliage is need no coddling as they hail from small stones. The auriculas in the sub- sided umbel in lavender or violet. smooth, thick, and leathery. The one rugged peaks and will endure cold section of the short bracted group There is a rose colored one that has from the Alps which takes the group and wind. (Brevibracteatae), are among the most been known as P, viscosa var. latifolia, name, P. auricula, is a fragrant yellow The double and semi-double P. beautiful and all make excellent This form is different also as the foli- with a white eye, bearing six to nine auriculas are delightful plants for garden plants, especially for walls or age is a yellowish green, shorter and open florets in a bunch on a stout one's garden. The supply I have came the rock garden. P. marginata may be very glutinous. The scape is three to stem. The leaf edges are smooth and from Ralph Balcom who worked tire- the best loved of any in this group. Its six inches on which it carries an umbel without farina. This wilding has been lessly towards the true double. His are native home is the Maritimes and also of many flowers which vary in shades hybridized for generations to form sturdy plants and multiply quickly in the Cottians, usually in limestone of pink to rose with a white eye. The many types and in a large range of from divisions. The first ones I had but often in slate debris. There are primrose called P. rubra may be a colors. It has naturally crossed with were semi-doubles, the next genera- many handsome forms of P. mar- natural hybrid with P. viscosa. There other members of this group in the tion almost all came fully double. ginata with leaves three to four inches is confusion as to its origin. It is one of Apennines and Carpathian Moun- After that I separated the colors, long edged with silver grey. One of the choice primulas for the rock gar- tains. The most popular crosses have pink; apricot; rose and a lavender, by the best of these has an umbel of den or scree. The rosette is small, two been with P. viscosa (blue to lilac) and cuttings. French blue flowers held on two to to three inches across, with some with P. villosa (violet, rose and pink) In the early days of the eighteenth three inch stems above the mat of stickiness on the dark green obovate to give some of the variations in century the silk weavers of England many rosettes. It does best in a cool leaves. It has an unusual appearance toothed edged, leaves with powder on grew and held shows for the auricula root run, between two pieces of lime- in that the leaves overlap somewhat to both stems and leaves, and many plants they hybridized. They fell into stone. The root is long for the size of give a whorled effect. The short stem colors, pink, lavender, purple, one so two classes, the show and the alpines. the rosette. We put ours in the low carries a rounded umbel with many dark as to be called Black Prince in The shows are divided into two types: stone wall edging the garden auricu- red flowers. It should be planted such a wide range of colors as to defy the edged and the selfs. Strict rules las. The bloom is so early that often where it can have sun for half a day, description. These hybrids are called were observed which were as exacting the delicate blue umbel will peek out but so that the roots can go beneath a garden auriculas and are sturdy and as they are today in shows. The edged from an edging of wet snow. All the cool stone. It has been used as a need no pampering whatsoever. Some auriculas are sub-divided into colors: forms are deliciously fragrant, one of parent for may hybrids, the only one I of its ancestors have given farina on green, grey and white edged. The the best is LINDA POPE. Then there have grown is Boothman's which has leaves and stems to give a plant with green edge takes the exact shade of is a near white one called, WHITE ruby red flowers. silvery foliage. Others have deep the foliage in the petals; the grey PEARL, that is nearer a cream In the Arthritica subsection we have green leaves, some toothed, some edged are powdered to give that tone colored. I have some deep lilac and P. glaucescens often listed as P. smooth edged. That is the fascination and the white edged is completely purple hybrids from my good friend, calycina. The rosette is short, com- in growing auriculas for they are covered with powder or meal which Ivy Agee who had done splendid work posed of stiff dark green pointed varied in color and foliage. All are rings the yellow center. This powder is in this group and especially with P. leaves, the margin slightly incurved. good garden subjects because of the referred to as paste and this band is allionii, On the two inch stem are the large sweet scented, often ruffled flowers, circled by a body color which merges P. carniolica is in the same subsec- deep purple flowers. This is found in from ten to twenty on the stiff stem; with the edge. The show auriculas are tion and is also very fragrant. Its the Lombard mountains. It comes the ease with which they can be grown treated as pot plants and are kept in a native home is in the European readily from seed and is long lived. I and the flourising colonies they soon cool greenhouse or alpine house as the mountains in sub-alpine meadows. had it for three years where the path develop. They will enhance a partially rain ruins the paste. Therefore it needs partial shade in a rounded the boulder to separate the shaded portion of the rock garden or The group termed alpine auriculas humus filled soil. It has long, narrow, paths which is a most conspicuous border with great beauty. Some gar- has no farina and is smaller in all its 14 15 site. It was beautiful in rosette but it auricula seed I have germinated only did not bloom. I complained about once did I have a white flowered seed- this in a round robin letter. Carl ling which came from a packet of P. Worth answered and told me to fill hirsuta, the soil with crushed egg shells. Then Another red haired primula is P. also to pour water over limestone pedemontana, the leave margins chips and pour this solution around heavily fringed. Seed and one plant of the plants. After this treatment they this primrose were given to me when I bloomed on April 28, making 1955 a visited the garden of Mrs. A.C.U. banner year. Since then I have mulch- Berry in Portland. It is a beautiful ed the tiny plants with egg shells and small species resembling P. hirsuta limestones. being smaller in all parts. The five P. clusiana is a native of Austria and inch stem rises with five to six violet the Styrian Mountains. It is a plant of blue flowers. open alpine meadows. The foliage is P. cottia bloomed for me in 1953 dark green and pointed with upturned and then it disappeared. It was a white cartilaginous margin. The lovely pink and velvet textured. I did flowers are large in a rich rose shade not know why I lost it until I received with a white eye. A few seedlings ALPINE and ROCK GARDEN Primula glaucescens Edinburgh Botanical Gardens came in a pale pink which are not PLANTS written by Will Ingwersen, a desirable. The soil should be extra gift from James Mitchell. Then I read rich in humus and although this is a that it grows in volcanic cliffs which have a white form which I have never iana which makes excellent cushions small plant it will make a large mat. are lime free. It left behind a very seen. I had it for three years and it of short bright green leaves and tubu- P. spectabilis is a distinct and beautiful hybrid garden auricula in formed a mat about a foot across. lar purple flowers in a close umbel on handsome species. It is a prolific shell pink as a reminder of having Then one very wet spring it appeared six inch stems. bloomer in a clear rose-pink with a been with me. but only for a short time and it died There are so many hybrids, many white eye. The foliage is bright green The Cyanopsis (blue flowered) sub- from too wet a position, I am sure. I named, which by selection have taken and forms a flat rosette with cord-like section has the rare beauty, P. do appreciate having had it for that the best points from each parent, margin. decorum which is only found in length of time. It has been used as a resulting in perfection and loveliness. P. wulfeniana forms dense mats and Bulgaria in marshy alpine meadows. parent for many lovely hybrids. The The most prolific parents have given is a perfect rock plant. It comes from It needs rich humus soil and has been most noted may be P. deschmanii a the widest range: P. auricula, mini- the Eastern Alps and it is said to com- the parent for many blue hybrids. cross between P. minima and wuffer- mua and hirsuta. pletely clothe the cliffs there with The blue that is the most beautiful is rosettes of dark green leaves. In spring P. glutinosa from the southern Alps. the plants are covered with immense The tubular flowers are purple-blue, purple flowers as large as an inch and the rosette composed of narrow, strap- a half across. Only two or three like leaves and very sticky. It does not flowers on an umbel but the size of a like too wet a position but does very single flower will hide a great deal of well in the wall or rock garden. the rosette. There is only one member in the The subsection Erythrodrosum (red subsection Chamaecallis, which means hairs) contains P. hirsute which is stems on the ground. It is P. minima abundant in the Alps. It forms roset- for the wee woody stems, rooting as it tes of broad ovate leaves, always blunt, grows, terminates in a tiny rosette. finely dentata and densely hairy; the The inch wide pink flowers are almost red hairs being red enough to tinge stemless and sharply toothed on the the leaf rusty. The flowers are born on edges. It is an ideal scree plant pre- short stems, very close to the rosette, ferring a granite rock to live against the umbel thick with many rich rose and likes to be mulched with stone or red with a white eye. Of all the chips in gritty soil. It is reported to Primula rubra photo by Larry Bailey 16 17 propagating medium is essential availability of nitrogen at the low Primula Production especially if using bottom heat and temperatures. mist. The temperature of the medium Use 9 ounces of calcium nitrate and by John G. Seeley is the important temperature as 5 ounces of potassium nitrate per 100 Cornell University, N. Y. contrasted to that of the thermometer gallons. OR,consider a 15-0-15 dark on the wall. High temperatures cause weather fertilizer at 9 ounces per 100 poor germination in the greenhouse gallons; this gives 150 ppm of nitro- Primulas (primrose) are worth con- in summer. A special seed germina- gen and a little less potassium but will sidering not only for their beauty but 4. Primula xpoly ant ha (P. veris elatior) tion room is excellent. be adequate. also because they are a low-energy - "Polyanthus,'' perennial. A Seed should begin to germinate in Many recommendations are to run requirement crop. Primulas make an hybrid with parentage of P. veris, 10 days but we usually figure about pots on the dry side to avoid excessive excellent item for everyday sales in 4- P. elatior and P, vulgaris. There 3 weeks for complete germination. leaf growth, but never allow to dry and 41/2-inch pots, and some types are many strains. Stem length varies; Sprinkling the seedlings lightly with completely. such as P. malacoides and obconica some with tall stems are used for finely sifted potting material such as TEMPERATURE are excellent also as 5- or 6-inch cut flowers in Europe. Others with peat-vermiculite helps anchor the Post (4) showed that cool tempera- potted plants. There is a wide range shorter stems are excellent for 4- sprouting seedlings. Do not allow the tures favor growth and low tempera- of colors giving the primula good sales * inch pots and as bedding plants in germinating medium to become dry. tures favor flower bud initiation. appeal. Look at the color photos in '. late winter and spring. Good in Water deficiency stunts young During summer months, keep plants the sales catalogs. the garden. Primula elatior gigan- seedlings. at 60°F at night or at least as cool as Another approach is to buy started SPECIES, VARIETIES AND STRAINS tea, a strain reputed to bloom early possible to get plant size. For P. mala- seedlings or small plants, thus by- The principal types grown in the with rose and red flowers being coides, in fall and winter, reduce tem- passing the seedling step. U.S. ARE Primula x poly ant ha, p. useful for Christmas and Valentine's perature to 45-50° NT to stimulate vulgaris, and P. malacoides. Day. POTTING flower bud initiation and after 6-8 There is considerable taxonomic 5. Primula sinensis - ' 'Chinese Prim- Transplant when 2 to 3 true leaves weeks you can raise temperature to confusion in the Primula group, the rose." Grown in England. Express appear (about 6-8 weeks after sowing). 55° to speed up flowering. Above 55° strain is compact and self-support- gives weak flower stems. Research in following may help you as you read Can go into 2x2" cell packs or 2-J/4 the various seed catalogs. ing; thus doesn't require staking inch pots and later to 4- or 5-inch Germany shows that varieties differ in 1. Primula malacoides - The "Fairy as does the species. pots. For later plantings and sales in 3 temperature response (6). In spring Primrose" or "Baby Primrose." PROPAGATION or 3-V2 inch pots, plant seedlings 1983, the varieties Snow Cone, Red Fragrant, compact with base branch- Seeds are very small varying from directly into the final pot. When King, Lavender King, White King ing, and flowers in successive approximately 28,000 to 48,000 seeds potting, keep the crown above the and Pink Ice grown in Cornell Green- umbels one above another. Non- per ounce for P, acaulis and P. veris to surface of the potting medium to re- houses in Ithaca, New York, flowered irritating foliage. A popular prim- about 375,000 for P. malacoides. Sow duce chances of rot. in February, from an October 22, rose for 4-, 4V-Z- and 5-inch pots. the seed on the surface of a peat- A loose, light, well-drained 1982 seeding, and grown with mini- Usually grown for spring sales vermiculite or peat-sand mixture that medium high in organic matter works mum NT of 60 °F indicating these 2. Primula obconica - ' 'German Prim- has been watered thoroughly before well. A 1:1:1 mix (by volume) of per- varieties do not need a low tempera- rose." Umbels of half-dollar size seed sowing. Do not cover the seed. lite or sand, peat, and loam with a pH ture treatment for flower induction flowers. A good winter pot plant Some research indicates that light en- of about 5.5 to 6.5 and low to and development. in 5- and 6-inch pots. Not widely hances germination but other research medium nutrient level is good. A Culture of P. obconica is similar to grown because of its reputation of (1) indicates that light is not very standard peat-lite mix also works well. malacoides. causing a skin rash but some newer important. If regular superphosphate is incorpo- For polyanthus and P. vulgaris strains are reported not to cause this Keep the medium moist with light rated in the mix at the rate of 2 types, grow at 40-45° until 3-4 flower problem. General culture is similar misting. OR you can put a sheet of pounds per cubic yard, then subse- buds are clearly visible and then force toP, malacoides. glass or plastic over the flat, but do quent fertilization with a fertilizer (January to March) at 55°. Forcing 3. Primula vulgaris (P. acaulis) - the not put the flats in the sun because of solution of 150 ppm of nitrogen and usually takes 2-4 weeks after flower true "Primrose" and a major crop excess heat. It used, remove cover as 150, ppm of potassium at each water- buds are visible. One can grow the in Europe. Many colors and shades. soon as cotyledons appear. ing should keep the plants growing plants continuously at 40-45 but this Excellent for spring sales. General- Keep temperature of the medium well. Nitrate-nitrogen fertilizer, lengthens the crop time. ly considered hardy in outdoor 60-68°F. Above 70°, germination is rather than ammonium-nitrogen, is LIGHT gardens. usually poor. A thermometer in the recommended because of greater Intensity: Plants grow best with a 18 19 light shade in summer to lower light In mid to late December, raise tem- rosette of leaves, lower the growing REFERENCES CITED intensity and greenhouse tempera- perature to 55°F to finish them off. temperature to 40-45 °F at night to 1. Cathey, H. M. 1969. Guidelines tures. Hammer (3) recommends light Or keep the temperature near 50° initiate flower buds. When flowe- for the germination of annual, pot intensity no greater than 3200 foot- and they will flower a little later. buds are visible, raise temperature to plant, and ornamental herb seeds. candles thus requiring some shade Smith (5) in England sowed the va- 50-55° and plants should flower in 2 Florists Review 144(3743): 18-20, most of the year. For P. malacoides riety 'Christmas Rose' in mid-August to 4 weeks. 52-53. and P. obconica, give light shade in and 'Fire Globe' in mid-July and A new Early Christmas series is re- 2. Goldsberry, K. L. 1980. Primula: summer and early fall and full light in both were in bloom for Christmas ported to be ready for Christmas sales a flowering mini pot plant. Colo- winter. For Primula vulgaris and marketing requiring only 4 and 5 from a May to early June sowing. rado Greenhouse Growers Assoc. Primula x polyantha types, give full months, respectively, from seed to Goldsberry (2) in Colorado flowered Research Bulletin 359. sunlight except immediately after flower. Plants were grown at 55°F plants of the Jewel strain of the Pacific 3. Hammer, P. A. 1980. Other flower- transplanting. with natural daylength, except for a Giant series and F-l P. acaulis hybrids ing pot plants. Chapter 18 in In- Daylength: P. malacoides initiates month from mid-September to mid- in 5 to 5'/2 months from seed. Seed troduction to Floriculture, R. A. flowers at 50 °F under either long or October when the temperature was were sown throughout the fall (Sep- Larson (ed.). Academic Press, NY. short days, and over the wide range of dropped to 50° and plants were given tember 15 to December 15) in a peat- pp. 457-460. 41°-77° will initiate under short day 15 hour nights (short days by black- lite medium and when the second set 4. Post, K. 1949. Florist Crop Pro- conditions (4,5); at 60°, flowers may clothing from 5 pm to 8 pm). Then of true leaves developed, seedlings duction and Marketing, Orange initiate but later abort, or if they back to 55° and natural daylength. were transplanted into "608" type Judd.pp. 746-748. develop, quality will be poor. There- Would be interesting to see how other cell packs and grown at 60-62°F 5. Smith, D. R. 1969- Controlled fore, plants are grown cool. varieties react to this type of schedule. nights and 60-70°F days, with natural flowering of Primula malacoides. His results showed that if you could photoperiod and 900 ppm CCh. Experimental Horticulture 20: PROBLEMS be sure of getting the 50° night About 54 to 80 days later, depending 22-34. Poor growth and chlorotic foliage - temperature in September (unlikely on time of year, plants were shifted to 6. Zimmer. 1969- Zur blutenbildung usually due to overwatering. in New York State), the short day 4-inch azalea pots for finishing. bei Primula malacoides, Garten- Chlorosis of younger leaves - usually treatment would not be necessary. Flower buds were visible in many of welt 69:137-138. due to lack of available iron due to Primula obconica - Some sources say the plants when shifted and finished improper pH or inadequate absorp- that seed sown from January on off at 52-54° nights and day tempera- REFERENCES FOR tion due to poor root system. Water- provides plants for Christmas and tures of 60-62° or 60-62° day and FURTHER READING ing with chelated iron such as early winter sales. Others report a late night. Cooling kept temperatures 1. Bowden, R. A. 1944. Experiments Sequestrene 330 iron at 2 pounds per May seeding should give 5- or 6-inch from going above 70° in both houses. show effect of magnesium on 100 gallons can alleviate the problem. pot plants for Christmas. Sow seed at Both temperatures produced primula plants. Florists' Review, Browning of leaf margins - indi- 3 week intervals for successive bloom excellent plants but those finished at Feb. 17, pp. 23-24. cates magnesium or potassium defi- in spring, but because germination is the lower temperature were approxi- 2. George J. Ball, Inc. 1975. The ciency, or root injury due to over- not good in the heat of summer, use a mately 10 days slower in reaching the Ball Red Book (Thirteenth edi- watering, excess fertilizer, high solu- controlled environment propagation salable stage. In this experiment low tion), pp. 436-437. ble salts, etc. room, or buy started plants produced temperature was not given for flower 3. Miller, E. and E. J. Holcomb. 1982. SCHEDULES in a cooler area. An October sowing bud inidaion. Primroses - History and culture. Primula malacoides - Some catalogs makes good 4-inch pot plants for Goldsberry suggested spacing of 4 Pennsylvania Flower Growers Bui. list it as a 6-month crop but some- spring. plants per square foot or even pot to 340:8-11. times it takes 7 to 8 months depend- Primula vulgaris (acaulis and poly- pot. As flowering often is not 4. Perry, L. P. 1981. Primulas make ing on season (temperature and light) anthus types: Attractive plants in 4- uniform, spacing results as flowering a comeback as a 5-month cool and size of plant desired. June to Sep- or 4J/2-inch pots for everyday sales plants are sold. crop. Florists' Review, March 5, tember seedings flower in January to result from growing at 50-55°F after The various reports and research pp. 22,25. April. Several catalogs report that potting the seedlings; this requires 5 show that because of the many types 5. Runger, W. and B. Wehr. 1971. sowings after October 15 will be to 6 months from seeding to bloom. and strains in this primrose group and (The effects of daylength and blind; studies on this problem are in Sow seed July-August for February- because of differences in climate in temperature on flower initiation progress. April sales. various geographic locations, growers and development in Primula For an early February crop, sow seed After potting the seedlings (5-7 should try several types and keep their malacoides) Einfluss von Tages- in early July and after transplanting to weeks after sowing) in pots, grow as own records of temperature, weather, lange und Temperatur auf die pots, grow at 60° until late October, cool as possible during summer and and plant response for future reference. Blutenbildung und entwicklung then 48-50° to initiate flower buds. fall. When the plants have a good von Primula malacoides. Garten- 20 21 bauwissenschaft 36:51-62. (English pages 14-19. (an interesting article summary). about garden primulas.) Thompson, P. A. 1969. Some () Resource Directory effects of light and temperature Editor's Note; John G. Seeley is Pro- on the germination of some Prim- fessor of Floricultural Science at ulaspecies. J. Hort. Sci. 44:1-12. Cornell University. This is the text of P 1984 . 1970. Effects his presentation at Central New York The primary reason for providing a directory of resources is to serve and for of temperature, chilling, and treat- Cooperative Extension minor crops the benefit and knowledge of the members of the American Primrose ment with gibberellins on the seminar December 2, 1982. His talk Society. Basic policies governing the selection for these dates and sources germination oiPrimula species. J. was brought to the APS Quarterly were only they be of direct interest to primula growers. Hort. Sci. 45:163-174. staffs attention by Ms. Lee Nelson, It is anticipated the directory of resources will be updated and published in Dickson, H. 1982. Primulas. Broome County Extension, Birming- the Quarterly each year. The editors hope members of the APS will continue American Horticulturist, April. ham, N. Y, to share their own 'special' resource throughout the year. If, at any time a member comes across an interesting item, source, date, etc., they will right then, drop a note to Harriet Gurney, 42 Water Street, Fairfield, Maine 04937, phone (207) 453-2313. Harriet Gurney is in charge of APS Open Door and could make good use of all information concerning the obtaining 1984 National Show and growing of primula. Dates to Remember for 1984 'Primrose Park' will be the theme for the 1984 National Primrose Show March 10th to 14th: Massachusetts April 7th and 8th: Tacoma Primrose and Sale, to be held April 14 & 15 at the Pavilion Outlet Center in Seattle, Horticultural Society, 1984 New Society, Primrose Show; Tacoma Washington. Hours: Saturday 10 - 6 and Sunday 11 - 5. England Spring Garden and Flower Mall, Tacoma, Washington. Show New approaches for this show include: slide shows on Saturday; demonstra- Show; Bayside Exposition Center, Chairman: Flip Fenili. tions during afternoon hours on both days; a park scene for the trophy area; Boston. April 13th to 15th: The APS will par- photo displays; tearoom featuring a primrose decorated cake; and finally, an March llth to 18th: Philadelphia ticipate in the annual Daffodil Festi- effort being made to have all the APS Chapters and members once again Flower Show, Civic Center, Philadel- val in Puyallup, Washington. APS working together. While Washington State Chapter will act as coordinator, phia. members wishing to help should other chapters are being asked for their input of ideas and to volunteer for March 25th: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM The contact Herb Dickson, President APS. specific tasks. In the recent past, single chapters have acted as hosts for the Rhododendron Species Foundation's April 14th: Berry Botanic Garden Nat'l Show. And while it has been proven one small group can and has put Early Blooming Species Walk. On the Plant Sale; Miller Hall, Western For- on a fine show, the main objective here is to have as many involved as property of the Weyerhaeuser Cor- estry Center, Portland, Oregon. Open possible, making the 1984 Show and all future shows truly NATIONAL. poration Headquarters, Federal Way, to members of the Berry Garden In order to make this weekend more enjoyable for those outside the Washington. 10-12 AM, public 12-4 PM. Seattle-Tacoma area, local members will be opening their homes for other March 31st-April 1st: Oregon Prim- April I4th-15th: National Show, members to stay during the show. Those arriving by plane will be picked rose Society, Primrose Show; Milwau- American Primrose, Primula and up at the airport and transported to their host member's home. Hospitality kie Community Center, 10666 S.E. Auricula Society. Hosted by the Chairman, Candy Strickland, will be doing the coordinating. Any member 42nd Ave., Milwaukie, Oregon. Show Washington State Chapter; Pavilion needing a place to stay and anyone willing to share their home, please con- co-Chairman: Etha Tate & Orval Outlet Center, Southcenter Regional tact Candy as soon as possible at 2722 E. 84th, Tacoma, WA 98445. Agee. Mall, Seattle, Washington. Show co- The Annual Meeting and Banquet will be held after show hours on April April thru May: Sundays 1:00 PM to Chairman: Irene Buckles and June 14th at the Pavilion Cafe beginning at 7 p.m. Award presentations, guest of 5:00 PM, Wednesdays 10:00 AM to Skidmore. honor introduction, a short business meeting and guest speaker will be 3:00 PM The Rhododendron Species April 20th-21st: Eastside Primrose featured after a buffet dinner. Banquet Reservations, along with payment Foundation Weyerhaeuser Corpora- Society, Primrose Show; Totem Lake ($11.10), must be made before April 10th. Make checks payable to Wash- tion Headquarters, Federal Way, Mall, Kirkland Washington. Show ington State Primrose Chapter and send to Show Chairman, Irene Buckles, Washington. Chairman: Albert Ross Smith. 13732 45th Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98168. April 7th and 8th: Valley-Hi Chapter, May 2nd - 3rd: University of Wash- Individuals not belonging to a specific chapter but interested in becoming Primrose Show; Beaverton Mall, 3205 ington Arboretum Plant Sale; involved with the show can contact the show chairman. Questions, ideas and S.W. Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton Arboretum grounds, University of suggestions, needed directions or trophy donations should also be directed to Oregon. Show Chairman: Ann Lunn. Washington, Seattle, Washington. the show chairman. 22 23 May 5th: Doretta Klaber Chapter's July 14th: American Primrose Society, Olympic Peninsula Study Group: exchange can usually be expected at Spring Visit. Sponsors: Edith and Bill Annual Picnic; Chehalis Rare Plant f -^ Co-chairperson: Elizabeth B. the monthly meetings. The Primrose Collins. Nursery, 2568 Jackson Highway, f vanSickle, 654 Marine Drive, Show will be on April 7 — 8, 1984 at Mid May: Japan Alpine Rock Garden Chehalis, Washington. All APS Sequim, Washington 98382; phone the Tacoma Mall, Tacoma, Washing- Society Show; Hyogo Prefectural members and friends welcome. (206) 683-4744. ton. Flower Center, Hasai, Hyogo, Japan. September 22nd: Berry Botanic Meetings are held on the 2nd Monday Valley-Hi Chapter of the APS: Show Chairman, Dr. K. Onoe. Garden Plant Sale; Miller Hall, during the Spring and early Summer President: Irene Morris, 9610 SE 5th July 6th to 8th: Hardy Plant Society Western Forestry Center, Portland, months, at 1:00 PM in members' Street, Vancouver, Washington Study Weekend, Western Forestry Oregon. Open to members of the homes and gardens. 98664; phone (206) 892-2688. Center, Portland Oregon. Registrar; Berry Garden 10-12 AM, public Oregon Primrose Society: Meetings are held on the first Thurs- Kathleen Williams, 1205 SW Harbor, 12-4 PM. President: Mrs. Frank Berthold day of the month at 1:00 PM; Lincoln City, Oregon 97367. (Nadine), 10722 SE 40th Ave., Community Room, Beaverton Mall, Milwaukie, Oregon 97222; phone 3205 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaver- (503)654-3361. ton, Oregon. The Primrose Show will Meetings are held on the 3rd Friday of be April 7 — 8, 1984, at the Beaverton each month, 8:00 PM at the Mall, 3205 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Milwaukie Community Club. The Beaverton, Oregon. Societies Primrose Show will be on March 31 — Washington State Chapter of the APS: April 1, 1984; also at the Milwaukie President: Margaret Van Dyke, 2105 American Primrose, Primula and Eastern Chapter of the APS Community Club, 10666 SE 42nd S. 124th Avenue, Seattle, Washing- Auricula Society Chairman-Pro tern: Fran Luber, East Ave., Milwaukie, Oregon. The ton 98168; phone (206) 242-8082. President: Herbert Dickson, 2568 Hartford, Connecticut, 06118. Oregon Primrose Society will be cele- Meetings are held on the 2nd Friday of Jackson Highway, Chehalis, Wash- The Eastern Chapter usually has two brating their 25th year in 1984. each month, 7:45 PM, Good Neighbor ington98532; phone (206) 748-7627. meetings a year; a spring show with Tacoma Primrose Society: Center, 305 S. 43rd Street, Annual picnic second Saturday injury plant sale and a fall (October) seed- President: Esther (Candy) Strickland, Renton, Washington. A plant and (14 July 1984); board meetings an- ling sale. The locations of the meet- ^ 2722 E. 84th, Tacoma, Washington seed exchange and guest speaker can nounced by President. Slide collec- ings are in various locations in the ( ft 98445; phone (206) 531-4449. usually be expected at the meetings. tion available for group meetings; Northeastern States. Meetings are held on the first Tues- The Washington State Chapter will contact Ann Lunn, Rte. 5, Box 93, Eastside Primrose Society: day, 7:45 PM, of each month at the host the National Primrose Show on Hillsboro, Oregon 97124. A list of the President: Lena D. Smith, 112 Ken- Tenzler Branch, Pierce County Li- April 14 and 15, 1984 at the Pavilion current APS Show Judges can be ob- nedy Drive, Duvall, Washington brary, Gravelly Lake Drive at Wildaire, Shopping Center (near the South- tained from Etha Tate, 10722 S.E. 98019. Tacoma, Washington. A plant center Mall), Seattle, Washington. 40th Avenue, Milwaukie, Oregon Meetings are held monthly on the first Monday, 7:30 PM at the Univer- 97222. National APS Show for 1984 American Primrose Society -Judges to be hosted by Washington State sity Federal Savings Bank, 6615 below and who would like to partici- Chapter, Seattle, Washington; April 132nd NE, Kirkland; there is usually Judging Schools were conducted last pate in judging should contact Etha March by Dorothy Dickson for the Tate, 10722 SE 40th Ave., Milwaukie, 14-15. a plant exchange, study of a primrose Section, and special speaker. The certification of new judges, and re- Oregon 97222, phone (503) 654-3361. Chapters and Affiliations Primrose Show will be at the Totem certification of those judges currently Accredited Primrose Judges Doretta Klaber Chapter: Lake Mall, Kirkland April 20-21, standing, so that all who wished to Orval Agee Rosetta Jones President; Claire Muller, 2001 Ridley 1984. participate in the judging service Herb Dickson Jim Menzies Creek Rd., Media, Pennsylvania Lewis County Primrose Society: would have the opportunity to do so. Rusty Gates Al Rapp Thelma Genheimer Etha Tate 19063; phone (215) 566-1995. President: Mrs. Oliver Turner It was understood at that time all who The Doretta Klaber Chapter offers (Dorothy), P.O. Box 506, Rochester, passed the examination would be Cy Happy Ross Willingham Ruth Huston Plant Sales, dinners, speakers, and Washington 98579; phone (206) deemed a Student Primrose Judge. After serving as a student member of Student Primrose Judges garden tours. For further information 273-5129- contact: Ms. Dee Peck, 8813 Patton Meetings are held in members homes an APS judging team for three prim- Edna Bailey Ann Lunn Rd., Wyndmoor, Philadelphia, on the second Tuesday of each month rose shows or for one primrose show Larry Bailey Jay Lunn Pennsylvania 19118; phone (215) at ll:oo AM; after the business and each year for three years, whichever Linda Bailey Viola Purple Margaret Breck Al Smith 233-1076. Members of this Chapter programs, a tour is usually taken in comes first, each student will be will be participating in the Philadelpia the afternoon. The date of the Prim- eligible to become an APS accredited Dona Donahue Anita Stevens Flip Fenili Elizabeth Flower Show, March 11 - 18, 1984. rose Show will be announced. Primrose Judge. Any previous APS judge not listed Albert Funkner van Sickle 24 25 Horticulture Societies of Common Interest Seeds

Societies Drake, Jack, (Inshriach Alpine Plant Alpine Garden Club of British Nursery), Aviemore, Inverness-shire, Columbia, Seed Director: VeraPeck, Scotland PH22 1QS Alpine Garden Club of B.C.: National Auricula and Primula 4875 Skyline Boulevard, North Douglas, Mr. Gordon, 67 Church c/o Thea Service Foster, 566 Esquim- Society - Southern Section: Vancouver, B.C. V7R3J2 Road, Great Bookham, Surrey, alt Ave., West Vancouver, B.C. c/o Hon. Secretary Mr. Lawrence E. Alpine Garden Society, Seed Distri- KT233EG England V7T1J4, Canada Wigley, 67 Warnham Court Road, bution Manager: H. Lill, 17 Newton Far North Gardens, 16785 Harrison, Monthly Bulletin, Seed and Plant Carshalton Beeches, Surrey, Avenue, Newton Hill, Wakefield, Livonia, Michigan 48154 Exchange. England. WF12PX England Goodwin, L.S.A. and Son, Bagdad Alpine Garden Society: Yearbook, Shows usually the latter American Primrose Society, Chairman Sth 7407, Tasmania, Australia c/o E. M. Upward, Lye End Link, St. Saturdays of March and April. Seed Exchange: Richard L. Critz, Ghose, G. & Co., Townend, Dar- Johns, Woking, Surrey, England Rhododendron Species Foundation: 1236 Wendover Ave., Rosemont, jeeling, India GU21 1SW P.O. Box 3798, Federal Way, Wash- pa 19010 Green, Jonathan & Sons, Inc., Box 9, Quarterly Bulletin, Annual Seed ington 98003; phone (206) 838- American Rock Garden Society, Farmingdale, NJ. 07727 Exchange. 4646 or (206) 927-6960. Director of Seed Exchange: Mrs. D. Howell, Major V. F., Fire Thorn, American Rock Garden Society: April and May: Sundays 1:00 PM to Bruce Whittemore, 90 Ridgecrest 6 Oxshott Way, Cobham, Surrey, c/o Mr. Norman Singer, Secretary, 5:00 PM and Wednesday 10:00 AM Drive, Westfield, MA 01085 KT112RT England Norfolk Road, S. Sandisfield, Massa- to 5:00 PM for primary blooming Scottish Rock Garden Club, Angus Jelitto, Klaus R., Horandsrieg 28, chusetts 01255; phone (413) 258- season walks. March 25th: 1:00 PM to Group Seed Exchange Honorary D 2000 Hamburg 56, Germany 4486. 5:00 PM Early blooming species walk. Manager: Miss E. M. Halley, 16 Kohli, P & Co., Park Road, Srinagar, Quarterly Bulletin, Seed Exchange, October 12th to 14th; 10:00 AM to Abercrombie Street, Barnhill, Kashmir, India 190009 and Slide and Book Library; 5:00 PM Fall Foliage Festival. Large r . ° ,° Dundee DD5 2NX Scotland Kroner, Mrs. A., rue des Vernes, 16 affiliated regional chapters. groupings of primroses as companion (• Commercial and other sources: CH 1217 Meyrin, Switzerland Hardy Plant Society: plants will be displayed. George W. Park Seed Co., Green- c/o Mr. Marvin Black, 124 N. 181 St., Scottish Rock Garden Club: Aberchalder Alpine Gardens, Gorth- leck, Inverness-shire, U.K. wood, South Carolina 29647 Seattle, Washington 98133; phone c/o Mrs. Rosemary Law, Kippielaw Seeds by Rosetta, 6214 So. 287th., (206)546-4258. Farm, Haddington, East Lothian Alpine Research, 630 S.E. Rene, Gresham, Oregon 97030 Kent, Washington 98032 Newsletter, Annual Study Weekend 4PH, Scotland. Spring Hill Farm, P.O. Box 42, Gig (July 6-8, 1984) Western Forestry Bi-annual Journal, Seed List, Publica- Barnhaven, Brigsteer, Kendal, Cumbria, LAS 8AU England Harbor, Washington 98335 Center, Portland, Oregon. tions. Stokes Seed Inc., 737 Main Street, Japan Alpine Rock Garden Society: Vancouver Island Rock and Alpine Burpee, W. Atlee Seed Co., 300 Park Avenue, Warminster, PA 18991 Box 548, Buffalo, New York 14240 c/o President, Dr. Kochi Onoe, 142 Garden Society: Thompson & Morgan Inc., P.O. Box Motoshio, Himeji, Japan. c/o Secretary, P. O. Box 6507, Station Chambers, John, 15 Westleigh Road, Barton Seagrave, Kettering, North- 100, Farmingdale, New Jersey 07727 Annual Show, Seed Exchange, Tours C, Victoria, B.C. V8P 5M4 Canada. W. F. Unwin Limited, Seedsmen ants NN15 5AJ, U.K. to apline areas of the world. Show in April usually the Friday and Histon, Cambridge, England National Auricula and Primula Saturday following Easter. Meeting Chiltern Seeds, Bortree Stile, Ulvers- Society - Midland Section: 4th Tuesday of month for lectures, ton, Cumbria LA12 7PB England c/o Hon. Secretary, 55 Elizabeth Parlour Shows, plant sales, etc. Road, Moseley, Birmingham, England B138QH. Plants Yearbook, Shows March and April Alpenglow Gardens, 13328 King (usually last Saturdays). Plants, Commercial Growers: George Hwy., North Surrey, B.C. National Auricula and Primula Before visiting any of the sources for Canada Society - Northern Section: plants, the editor's committee strongly Baileys' (mail orders only), 209 c/o D. G. Hadfield, 146 Queens recommends the person(s) make prior Dayton Street, No. 106, Edmonds, Road, Cheadle Cheshire SK8 5HY, k appointments. Washington 98020 England Alpenflora Gardens, 17985 - 40th Bartoos Gardens, 6214 So. 287th., Yearbook, Shows first Saturdays in Ave., Surrey (Cloverdale), B.C. Kent, Washington 98032; phone April (April 7) and May (May 5). V3S 4N8 (206)852-0330 26 27 Brenda Hyatt, 1 Toddington Crescent Nature's Garden -Bluebell Hill, near Chatham, Route 1, Box 488, Beaverton, Oregon } Rmerican Primrose Society Kent, England 97007; (mailorders) Chehalis Rare Plant Nursery, 2568 Oliver Nurseries, Inc., 1159 Bronson Jackson Hwy., Chehalis, Washing- Road, Fairfield, Connecticut 06430; Seed Exchange ton 98532; phone (206) 748-7627 phone (203) 259-5609 Cricklewood Nursery, 11907 Nevers phone (203) 259-5609 Road, Snohomish, Washington The Plant Farm, 11811 Northeast 98290; phone (206) 568-2829 73rd, Kirkland, Washington 98033; Chairman: Richard L. Critz, 1236 9- integrifolia Ml (8) Dalilea Nurseries Limited, The Old phone (206)822-1124 Wendover Ave., Rosemont, Pennsyl- 10. pedemontana Ml (8) Poor's House Dalilea by Acharacle, Primrose Acres, 14015 - 84th Avenue vania 19010. 11.x pubescens (15) Argyll PH36 4JX, Scotland East, Bothell, Washington 98011; Open to all members in good stand- 12. rubra (hirsuta) T1-U1-H2(8) Far North Gardens, 16785 Harrison, (206)823-8904 ing. 13. spectabilis U1-K2(5) Livonia, Michigan 48154; Phone Daystar, Litchfield - Hallowell Road, The left hand number identifies the 14. villosa B2-K2(4) (313)422-0747 RFD 2, Litchfield, Main 04350, variety. The letters in the right 15. viscosa (latifolia) M1-K2(8) Frank Shipston, 11 Harvey Close, (mail orders); phone (207) 724- column identifies the donors of the 16. doubles-R W Balcom Strain K(5) Allesley, Coventry CV5 9FU, 3369 seed and the number to the right of 17. Garden, blue shades T-I1(5) England Siskiyou Rare Plant Nursery, 2825 the donor key in parenthesis () is the 18. Garden, dark colors B(20) Grand Ridge Nursery, 27801 S.E. Cummings Road, Medford, Oregon number of seed per packet. 19. Garden, hair colors B(30) High Point Way, Issaquah, Wash- 97501, (mail orders); phone (503) Packets are 25 cents each. Minimum 20. Garden, light colors B(30) ington 98027; phone (206) 392- 772-6846 orders are $5.00. No postage is charg- 21. Garden, white T(5) 1896;222-7226 Primrose Lane Nursery, 13631 - 196th ed, but inclusion of a stamped (USA), 22. Garden, Edinburgh Strain, Darlene Heller (Wayside), 1711 B. S.E., Renton, Washington 98055; self-addressed envelope will be mixed colors G(5) County Line Rd., Stanwood, Wash- phone (206) 235-1277 appreciated. Please remit by personal 23. Garden, mixed colors (10) ington 98292; phone (206) 445-3732 Spring Hill Farm, P.O. Box 42, Gig check, bank draft, or money order. 24. Show Alpine, light center Vl(5) Lamb Nurseries, E. 101 Sharp, Harbor, Washington 98335 Overseas members must use inter- 25. Show Alpine, dark blue HP P(5) Spokane, Washington 99202; Alda Stich, Freedom, Maine 04941; national money order or bank draft 26. Show Alpine, pale blue HP P(5) phone (509) 328-7956 phone (207) 342-5796 on US funds. Make checks payable to: 27. Show Alpine, gold-flame, etc. Mori, Kazuo Alpines, Trinity Garden, Stonecrop Nurseries, Cold Springs, The American Primrose Society. HP K-P(5) 5-8, Matsushita, Nishinomiya, N.Y. 10516; phone (914) 223-3419 There will be no refunds of money 28. Show Alpine, bright pink Hyogo, Japan, P.C. 662 and substitutes of desired seeds are HP ' K-P(4) encouraged to be indicated with 29. Show Alpine, pale pink HP P(5) orders. 30. Show Alpine, purple HP P(5) Primula Names and Prefixes col = collected 31. Show Alpine, dark red, HP P(6) by William G. Holt dk = dark 32. Show Edged, green-black Girvan, Ayrshire, Scotland dbl = double ground HP ' P-V1(5) HP = hand pollinated Why do we name Primulas and use fix is of importance to define either of 33. Show Edged, green-red prefixes? The reason is obvious you the plants. hyb = hybrid ground HP P(5) 34. Show Edged, gray-black will say, but think further. Raisers of Prefix and name given by the raiser Nfld = Newfoundland plants should select only those to be of a plant should always be used, first- NW = northwest ground HP P(5) named that they feel worthy of dis- ly to avoid any confusion and second- ssp = subspecies 35. Show Edged, gray-yellow tribution, are different and are of ly as a token of acknowledgement to AURICULA ground HP P(5) 36. Show Edged, white-black superior quality. It should be a the raiser and propagator. It is not by 1. auricula B2(8) customer's guarantee a particular any means always done in the U.K. 2. auricula alpina Ul(6) ground HP P(5) 37. Show Self, black HP P(4) plant be of, or very very near to the de This is particularly so at the shows 3. auricula, red XI (5) scription given for that cultivar. and/or in show reports. (It is pleasing 4. auricula, mixed species, 38. Show Self, blue HP P-V1(5) However it may be that someone, to note how the show reports are ""' Garden, Show G(10) 39- Show Self, old gold HP P(5) somewhere, by sheer coincidence is edited in the APS Quarterly.) Jfe 5. daonensis (oenensis) Ul-H2(5) 40. Show Self, pink HP P(5) using or about to use the same name Then lastly prefixes and names will 6. glaucescens Tl(6) 41. Show Self, red HP P(5) for a different cultivar or one perhaps identify cultivars for all future genera- 7. glaucescens ssp calycina Ul(5) 42. Show Self, yellow HP P(5) 43. Shows mixed G-Tl-B2(10) somewhat similar. This is where a pre- tions of primrose lovers. 8. glutinosa Ml-Ul-H2(20) 28 29 CANDELABRAE (see PROLIFERAE) 86. vialii (50) 124. poissonii Wl(10) 160. x polyantha 'Dwarf Jewel' CAPITATAE NIVALES _ 125.prolifera Sl(10) mixed colors D(10) 44. capitata Nl -W1-L2 (15) 87. chionantha (12) ((J 126. pulverulcnta (30) 161. x polyantha 'Gold Lace' Fl(5) 45. capitata ssp crispata N(30) 88. chionantha, blue Ol(5) 127. pulverulenta, pastel colors Q(30) 162. x polyantha 'Gold Lace' 46. capitata ssp mooreana H-L-I1(30) 89- chionantha, pink A(15) 128. Proliferae hybs, mixed colors (20) Florist Strain HP C(6) CORTUSOIDES 90. melanops X-Sl(lO) 129. Proliferae hybs, semi-dbl, 163. x polyantha 'Gold & 47. cortusoides Ml(15) 91. sinopurpurea I-Sl-Wl(lO) pink Fl(30) Silver-Laced' Tasmania J(6) 164. x polyantha, Hose-in-Hose K(6) 48. geraniifolia H(5) OBCONICA ROTUNDIFOLIA 49. heucherifolia Sl-Tl(lO) 165. x polyantha, Hose-in-Hose, 92. obconica werringtonensis D2(5) 130. rotundifolia H-L2(5) Tasmania J(6) 50. jesoana K-Wl(5) PARRYI 51. loeseneri (paxiana) Nl(10) SIKKIMENSIS 166. x polyantha, Jack-in- the-Green 93. angustifolia C2(10) 131. alpicola N-Ml(lO) 52. polyneura (20) 94.parryi C2(8) 53. saxatilis (10) 132.alpicola 'Alba' Nl-Sl-Tl(lO) 167. x polyantha 'Pacific Giants' 54. sieboldii A-T-Fl(lO) PETIOLARES 133. alpicola violacea B-M1(12) apricot shades Gl(8) 55. sieboldii, pink forms E(5) 95. coerulea Kl(10) 134. florindae (25) 168. x polyantha 'Pacific Giants' deep blue _ Gl(8) DENTICULATA PROLIFERAE (CANDELABRAE) 135. florindae, Keilour hybs Ml(8) 169. x polyantha 'Pacific Giants' 56. denticulata (20) 96. anisodora H-Y1(15) 136. florindae, copper shades Kl(12) pink ^ Gl(8) 57. denticulata 'Rosea' Kl-Pl(lO) •97. beesiana Nl-K2(8) 137. florindae, red Kl-Ol(20) 170. x polyantha 'Pacific Giants' 58. denticulata 'Rubra' Pl-Tl(8) 98. x briscoei Nl(8) 138. florindae, pale yellow A2(5) scarlet shades Gl(8) 59. denticulata, reds & white E2(10) 99. x bullesiana I-M1-N1(25) 139. ioessa Fl-Wl-L2(7) 100. bulleyana H-I-N1(25) 140. secundiflora (20) 171. x polyantha 'Pacific Giants' FARINOSAE 101. burmanica Hl-Nl-Tl(lO) 141. sikkimensis (15) pure white Gl(8) 60. conspersa Zl(5) 102. chungensis Kl-Nl-K2(25) 172. x polyantha 'Pacific Giants' 61. darialica X(6) SOLDANELLOIDEAE 103. cockburniana (20) Sprinkle, mixed D(6) 62. farinosa (12) 104. cockburniana, orange & 142. flaccida (nutans) N-I1-L2(6) 173. x polyantha 'Pacific Giants' 63. farinosa, blue El(10) 143. reidii Cl-Tl(12) yellow F1-K1(20) all colors D-E1(20) 64. frondosa (30) 144. reidii williamsii X-Tl(lO) 105. helodoxa H-Z(8) 174. x polyantha 'Premiere 72' 65. halleri Kl-K2(10) 106. ianthina H(8) blue Ml(10) 66. incana 11(8) VERNALES 107. 'Inschriach Hybrid' H(15) 145. elatior T-S1-W1(15) 175. x polyantha 'Premiere 72' 67. lauremiana D1-A2-J2(6) 108. japonica (wild) Czech Kl(10) goldorange Ml (10) 68. laurentiana, col NW Nfld J2(8) 146. elatior ssp cordifolia Pl(7) 109- japonica 'Alba' (30) 147. hybrida 'Julian' apricot Gl(10) 176. x polyantha 'Premiere 72' 69. luteola M-Sl(5) 110. japonica 'Atropurpurea' 148. hybrida Julian' bicolormix Gl(6) pink Ml(10) 70. mistassinica R-J2(5) Kl-Nl-Tl(lO) 149. hybrida 'Julian' 177. x polyantha 'Premiere 72' 71. mistassinica, col NW Nfld J2(5) 111. japonica 'Glowing Embers' 'Cheerleader' mix Gl(6) scarlet Ml (10) 72. modesta groenlandica N(5) O-H1(15) 150. hybrida 'Julian' 178. x polyantha 'Premiere 72' 73. modesta matsumurae J2(15) 112. japonica 'Millers Crimson' white Ml (8) 74. rosca (15) 'Cherriette' mix Gl(6) 151. hybrida 'Julian' 179- x polyantha 'Premiere 72' 75. rosea x clarkei (Peter Klein) Tl(5) 113. japonica 'Postford White' (25) 'Gold Ridge' mix Gl(6) yellow Ml (8) 76. rosea 'Gigas' Ml(15) 114. japonica pink (50) 152. hybrida Julian' purple Gl(6) 180. x polyantha 'Premiere 72' 77. rosea 'Grandiflora' Kl(5) 115. japonica, red HP Z(20) 153. hybrida Julian' red shades Gl(6) mixed Ml (8) 78. yargonensis Wl(5) 116. japonica, red shades (20) 154. hybrida Julian' 181. x polyantha 'Princess' scented FLORIBUNDAE 117. japonica, rose & pink A-Kl(15) white shades Gl(6) Tasmania, mixed colors J-K(8) 79- x kewensis Il-Kl(5) 118. japonica, silva tronca?, 155. hybrida Julian' 182. x polyantha, double & 80. verticillata Wl(8) vermilion A2(10) yellow shades Gl(6) ruffled J(6) MALACOIDES 119- japonica, yellow Hl(15) 156. hybrida 'Julian' 183. x polyantha, salmon & 81. malacoides, carmine pink K(25) 120. japonica, yellow to brown Bicolor mixed Gl(10) ruffled mixed colors J(6) 82. malacoides, mixed colors D2(5) 157. hybrida 'Romeo' 184. x polyantha, mix color Y-A-F1(30) MUSCARIOIDES 121. japonica, mixed colors (30) mixed colors Gl(8) 185. veris (15) 83. bellidifolia Wl(10) 122. Pagoda hyb, orange HP 2(8) 158. x polyantha 'Agee Pink' J(6) 186. veris ssp macrocalyx Il-Kl(8) 84. concholoba H(10) 123. Pagoda hyb, mixed colors 159- x polyantha, 187. veris ssp macrocalyx HP G2(15) 85. muscarioides H(8) HP 2(2) Cowichan mixed E2(5) 188. veris hybs, 3rd generation Kl(15) 30 31 189. verts hyb, mixed colors El-Il(lO) 197. vulgaris, mix colors Tasmania J(6) 190. vulgaris, (acaulis) blue Ml(8) 198. vulgaris 'Pageant' hybrids 191. vulgaris, (acaulis) dark red mixed colors Gl(8) M-Ml(lO) 199- F2 vulgaris-poly an tha hyb - From the mailbox 192. vulgaris, purple Tl(5) some doubles, yellow Y(6) 193. vulgaris, white Ml(8) 200. Vernales, double mixed K(8) 194. vulgaris, yellow Kl-Ml-Tl(15) 201. Vernales, mixed varieties (25) 195. vulgaris, yellow, some 202. Vernales, mixture - choice G(12) double & fluted Y(4) 203. Pot Luck - mixed seed (15) 196. vulgaris, mixed colors Kl-Ml(lO) . . . Both my wife Pat and myself are Yorkshire born and bred and have lived in and around Doncaster all our lives, we moved to Haxey just five years ago. It is highly agricultural with the emphasis on cereal and root crops but very little in the way of livestock. DONORS: With regard to my own particular interest in Primrose, Primula and Auricula I must confess to a great love for the old named varieties of Primroses, particularly those of P. x Julianas origin as listed by Mr. J. W. Martin on page 27 of the Summer Quarterly and also makes very A. Diane Ellison Washington interesting reading. As you might imagine these old varieties are very difficult to come by as Jl. Dr. A. R. Goldsby New York indeed are many items of a bye gone era, most growers will only do swaps. As I have only a B. Mrs. T. N. Billings Washington ,K1. Ross E. Willingham Washington few varieties, I have to buy those that I want. Mr. Martin does sell a few varieties and I also C. Bernard M. Smith England Ll. Janice Anthony Maine have one or two other connections but it is expensive but I enjoy them so much that it is hard D. W. Atlee Burpee Co. Pennsylvania Ml. Klaus R. Jelitto Germany if not almost impossible to resist when I find something to add to my collection. The problem E. Joan Laughlin Maine Nl. Botanischer Garten is that I lost practically every variety that I had in the severe winter we encountered and consequently I have had to start almost from scratch again. The plants that I lost were all F. Teyle de Bordes Japan der Stadt Essen Germany growing in pots and as I do not have a greenhouse I'm afraid they did not survive. The one G. Mrs. E. Clevenger Washington Ol. Kenneth Hixson Oregon great favourite of mine Garryard Guinevere was growing in the garden and came through H. Cor Stoffels Holland PI. Elva C. Link Vermont unharmed I'm happy to say. I have tried breeding with her but I'm afraid she has resisted all I. Nature's Garden Oregon Ql. Birdie Padavich Washington her suitors so far and is still as virtuous today as she was when I first obtained her. Still I'll J. Goodwin & Sons Tasmania keep trying and who knows one day she may set seed for me. I think the direct crosses with P. Rl. Conservatoire et juliae are the most delightful and of course this fact has now been recognised by many of our K. L. J. Dupre, Jr. Washington Jardin Botaniques Switzerland large commercial seed houses who are introducing their own particular strain of Primula L. Mitch Blanton Washington Si. Robert Gordon No. Ireland x juliae. Of course the most famous over here must be Barnhaven with their new Julianas. A M. Ann Lunn Oregon Tl. Dr. V. Satava Czechoslovakia wonderful strain, neat compact plants in truly magnificent range of colours. I must confess that N. Barbara Currant Canada Ul. Dr. Karl Ptimpel Austria I am particularly interested in the Double Primroses and obviously found the article by Rosetta Jones in the Summer Quarterly of great interest. I have not grown any so far or even seen any O. Alice Hills Baylor Vermont Vl. James F. Long Virginia so I must get around to ordering some seed. My other great love m Primulas are the Section P. Gordon Douglas England Wl. Joseph Kennedy No. Ireland Petiolares of which I have about six or seven varieties so far. They are growing in a raised bed Q. Rosemary Burns Washington XI. Pat Prichard Wisconsin (rectangular) in pure leaf mould and were in deep shade under a large tree until the September R. Barrie Porteous Canada Yl. Bodil Leamy Canada gales damaged it so badly that I had to take it down completely and will now have to provide S. Marguerite Godshall Pennsylvania artificial shading next year. I have managed to keep the pests and diseases at bay to a large Zl. Sigrun Benediksdottir Iceland extent and in winter I cover with glass to protect the early blooms. I have not lost any plants so T. Mrs.D.B.Whittemore Massachusetts A2. Francis H. Cabot New York far but they do not seem to be overflowing with the health and vigour that I would wish for so U. Edythe Collins New Jersey B2. MU Dr. J. Mikulastik I am going to have to consult the experts to find out where my cultivation is at fault. They are V. Botanischer Garten, E. Germany Czechoslovakia so delightful I do want to make a success of growing them. Leipzig . . . Northern Section Primula and Annual Show ... all sections (of the schedule) are C2. Panayoti Callas Colorado generally well supported but Class 13, P. allionii form has a very generous following and W. Mary Linder New Jersey D2. Claire Miiller Pennsylvania attracts many entries. There are now several named varieties and competition is very keen. There X. Jaroslav Klima Czechoslovakia E2. Darlene Heller Washington is also many of Marginata Hybrids or forms shown in particular at the April Show held at Y. Rosetta Jones Washington F2. Mrs. R. J. Gurney Maine Bradford. Not surprisingly here are also lots of entries in Classes 28 and 29; Gold Laced Z. Anita Alexander Oregon G2. Primrose Acres Washington Polyanthus, Red or Black Ground. Here Hubert Calvert usually does very well and of course he Al. Rita Tomsovic now has his own particular strain and is constantly working to improve it. Needless to say Class Wisconsin H2. Josef Bendl Czechoslovakia 15, Section Petiolares Primula goes from strength to strength each year and there are always Bl. Irwin D. Zim, MD California 12. Nina M.Johnson Pennsylvania magnificent plants of P. bhutanica to be seen. One point I have noted over the years is that if Cl. William G. Holt Scotland J2. Dr. U. Paim Canada P aureata is exhibited it almost invariably gains the Best in Show Award, but it is of course a Dl. Philip W. Cook Vermont K2. M. W. Camping Netherlands magnificent plant and when well grown it takes some beating. El. Beryl W. Orchard Massachusetts ._. . Autumn is surely with us and recently we have been enjoying some truly wonderful days, L2. R. S. Masterson Scotland particularly warm for this time of year. The leaves are turning gold and orange, red and brown Fl. Vickey D. Sauer Washington M2. Don Hackenberry Pennsylvania and beginning to fall, it is a most enjoyable time of year but the nights are short and little can Gl. T. Sakata & Co. Japan N2. Southwestern Native Seed be done in an evening. HI. Mrs. Don Hartill Oregon Arizona Malcolm Eirkett, "Brecklands", Grauelound Fields, Haxey, Nr. Doncaster, South Yorkshire II. L. A. Bailey Washington O2. Ghose & Co. India DN9 2LN, England 32 33 We too had a hot spell in the main primrose season after a long wet and windy winter. Our When I visited Ireland this spring, I was anxious to stop at Dromahair, where Cy and I had July and August to recent date (August 17, 1983) have been very warm and dry. Together with spent a pleasant time with Cecil Monson and his wife, Jean. (Cecil died a short time after our the normal maintenance of the collection of primroses we have been very busy cleaning beds for visit — almost 10 years ago.) outdoor plantings in what was virtually virgin soil. Dromahair is a small village near Sligo on the west side of Ireland. I drove to the street, but The plants look very well considering the very hot weather. About five thousand double could not be certain which was the Monson bungalow. A neighbor on the street jogged my seedlings which were sown on Valentine's Day have commenced to bloom and are the best memory, but she warned, "Lady Jean is gravely ill with cancer. She has been in the hospital quality I have had. The next batch of seeds will be set this week! We also, thanks mainly to and has been home for only a few days". seeds from the USA, are building up a very nice collection of Hose-in-Hose. To my sorrow, I found the neighbor's warning to be quite true. The vibrant, active Jean August 18. We have had a night of gentle rain, the stream running through Tralodden Monson we had known had become a thin, pale invalid. I visited her only a few minutes, and Cottage lands, which had deteriorated to a mere trickle, has risen a little. Everything is cooler we reminisced about the time we spent when Cecil was alive. She told me she was going to the and fresher looking with the hills surrounding our little valley covered in mist, a real primrose hospital the following day, but clearly she did not expect to live long. morning with a variety of wild birds singing and desporting themselves in this brief respite after I photographed the few plants that remained in the garden. Only a few of his primula still the hot dry spell. grew there. November 6 . . . Over many years I have, in turn, used the Laurels prefix for Ducks, Geese, Cy (Happy) says that Dr. Molly Sanderson, 76 Charlotte St., Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, North rabbits, exhibition Fantail Pigeons, etc. so it was natural to carry it over to Primroses (Laurels Ireland still grows some of Cecil Monson's plants. Dr. Sanderson (a charming woman and fine Phillipa, Laurels Angelina, etc). It was derived from the Laurel wreath on the Royal Marine cap grower) will be one of the featured speakers at the Rock Garden study weekend at the end of badge —I served for part of the '39-45' was in the Landing Company R.Ms. February in Port Townsend. Perhaps some of the primula growers will be able to talk with her The fall has been wet and windy here, mild except for 2 or 3 frosts. All the leaves have then. fallen, practically without colour, due to strong winds, still lots of primrose bloom though. We Rita Happy, 11617 Gravelly Lake Drive S.W., Tacoma, Washington 98499 have at least some in bloom every day of the year. t William G. Holt, Tralodden Cottage, by Girvan, Ayrshire, KA26 OTX, Scotland

I began with Barnhaven in the late 30's and early 40's and then had to abandon them for many years. Recently going through some old flower magazines I came across 4 envelopes of the What an absolutely engrossing issue of the Quarterly (Summer 1983) the gang put out this primroses developed by Linda Eichman of Portland, She was a retired nurse who had developed time! The letters were like mini-articles and gave such an overview of members gardens and the a pink primrose. conditions under which they grow their primulas. There's a tendency to think of the She called her seeds Majestic. The packets contain from 50 to 200 seeds and are dated 1954. I membership as a homogenous mass, rather than considering the fascinating individuals creating am afraid to risk trying to germinate them myself, I bought seeds a year ago from Far North it. The liveliness of the descriptions of their gardens by the writers points out the broadness of Gardens/and with freezing and thawing not a single seed germinated. the differences and gives me more of an APS club feeling than ever before. Please let me know if you know of anyone who would like to share these with me. I am ... I couldn't resist writing an item in the monthly bulletin of the Alpine Garden Club of surely anxious to see if after all these years the seeds are still viable. BC about the win in the Washington State Show with Juliana 'Butterball' because of the AGC / APS connection through Susan Watson. She was a founding member of our Club (age of Rachel S. Col/ings, 1944 S.E. Lund Avenue, Port Orchard, Washington 98366 BC) in 1955 after she had been APS editor and compiler of the APS Dictionary of Primulas- still the most consulted book on the genus. Susan bred P. juliae x Butterball which is the most colourful and floriferous of all the P. juliae hybrids in my garden. 'Butterball' has not been Now I am going to tell you something you might find hard to believe. When we were entered in our AGC Pot Shows but you have inspired me to plan on grooming a plant for the younger, struggling to make ends meet and raising a family, we did not have time to grow 1984 Show season. flowers; but the wife always had a few. Now that we are retired, we try our hand at growing 'Butterball is especially rewarding because of its rapid increase in crowns; a generous swath can the ones we like (most of the time not very successful). Last winter we read an article in the be developed in just two or three years. In a small woodsy corner of our garden, near a pool, paper about Primroses that aroused our curiosity. We asked friends what kind of flower it was, there is an area that is slightly raised by use of logs. A ribbon of pinky-lilac Primula darialica nobody really knew. In the spring we went to a Greenhouse and bought two plants. We did edges the bed. This is another free-flowering plant that can be divided annually to create showy not expect them to survive the transplanting, but they did. Then we knew the wife had them drifts. Double primrose, 'Quaker's Bonnet', is matching lilac, is behind P. darialica. Then come as border plants for over twenty years. Her mother gave her the first ones. Now we are going to the taller 'Butterball' plants as perfect compliment to them with golden-centred yellow build a special bed for them. The original ones we have seem to be very hardy and require no blossoms. Erythronium tuolumnense joins the grouping to provide contrasting foliage form and special care. flowers exactly matching 'Butterball's vivid centres. Another yellow touch is evident in the area, Frank Krueger, Site 9, Box 6, RR 1 Enderby, B.C. VOE 1VO, Canada a small regional P. auricula raised from seed from Mount Schneeberg, Austria. Since I acquired 'Butterball' just over 5 years ago it has given enough divisions to make a drift approximately 2' by almost 10'. It thrives on being split into 2 to 3 crown pieces each early fall. Like most of I had red spider get on some primula in the greenhouse. Do you know anything that will kill the Julianas and other vernals, it resents being left in a congested clump. the resistant ones? Temix won't or malathion or Hndane, DDT, or anything else I can find. Vickey Sauer, on P. capitata, was most interesting. Once in a while an especially vigourous They arc really a deadly thing in hot weather. I find primroses don't do well in the greenhouse plant of P. capitata or P. nutans will emerge from a crop. I suppose that, ideally, we should very long anyway. harvest seed only ftom those superior forms in hopes of their traits being passed on. The last We have had the hottest summer ever on record. We have had no rain for 9 weeks now, until seed packet I put in was P. capitata v. crispata. It is less mealy and possibly a bit deeper today. We had temp, of 103° F. and many days over 95° to 100° F. and 80-90 % humidity. blue-violet than ones I have had from seed previously (usually v. mooreana). Very close planting If you think you can grow plants, well, you should try it here! I have had a few losses but not seems to prevent heaving in the winter and plants losing their grip in summer when the soil bad, but it has been a struggle and still is. becomes dry. Photos taken in nature seem to show plants growing cheek-by-jowel ...... I sprinkle temix on every pot, plant or flat in the greenhouse and find dead caterpillars, Claire Miiller's story of the Northwest Shows was delightfully lighthearted and caught the etc. all the time. We have Gypsy Moth, you should fear them, what a pest. This kills them hustle-bustle of the atmosphere so well. Members in the other parts of the world will have a too. I never leave a pot unprotected anymore . . . but be careful with these poisons and read clearer idea of the events now. Someone from 'elsewhere' was needed to write about it the labels carefully. objectively (but through pleasantly rose-coloured glasses). Jimmy Long, Route 2, Box 1, Marion, Virginia 24554 Tbea S. Foster, 566 Esquimalt Avenue, West Vancouver, BC VlT 1J4, Canada 34 35 Enclosed are some pics taken in our woodland garden last spring — The picture of the velvety red with the tiny yellow eye are plants I got from Ruth Huston in 1982. I think they're just stunning . . . YX'^*" -w W"^ It's been a fun summer—hard to believe it's on its way out. The Rock Garden convention at Cornell was exciting—beautiful country side I've not seen before — a chance to meet people Primrose Lane with similar interests and just the chance to get away. Didn't get around to dividing primulas this season — a normal state of affairs here. Filled some holes in the garden instead with last winters seedlings. Had bumper crops of seedlings this nursery year, most of which are still in 6 packs. Think I'll bring some of them into the greenhouse later to see if they might bloom this winter. The auricula raised from your seed have grown 13631-196 th.S.E., tremendously —have lined many of them out, gave some to friends and still have a surplus. Renton Wa. The cold frames are rapidly filling up, so flats of seedlings and plants in 2V21' pots are strewn 98056 everywhere—will have to make some sense of them soon, as am sure winter will be upon us before we know it. Have been blessed with a delightful last few weeks—warm and sunny — PHONE more so than we could expect (Nov. 2nd, 1983). 835-1Z7K Steven John Kelley, 2$25 South Watertown Road, Long Lake, Minnesota 55556

RHODODENDRON ORBICULAHE SEED of DOUBLE ACAULIS

Our Legacy NEW SEED CROP IN AUGUST The preservation of species rhododendrons Minimum Order - 50 seed - $5.00 Inquiries to: The Rhododendron Species Foundation Rosetta Jones 6214 South 287th Street P.O. Box 3798 Kent, Washington 98031 Federal Way, WA 98003 Phone 852-0330 Your support is needed to maintain a 23 acre garden where rhododendrons and primula grow together "Schultz-lnstanr YOUR LIQUID PLANT FOOD EASY DIRECTIONS COMPLETE "7 drops per quart water Every time you water. Every thing you grow." SOURCE Available at your store or send: $1.85 for 5 oz., $3.20 for 12 oz., Species and Cultivar Primulas $4.70 for 28 oz., (Includes Mailing FREE CATALOG Hobby Growing Supplies Ericas, Callunas, Phlox, Saxifrage, Dwarf Conifers, Container Plants and Alpines "Schultz-lnstant" AT WHOLESALE PRICES

EASY DIRECTIONS Plastic Pots Fung ic ides Precise Catalogue 40

36 37 American Primrose Society Attack Insects on Officers * President: Herbert Dickson, 2568 Jackson Highway, Chehalis, WA 98532 Roses C Flowers Vice President: Albert Smith, 112 Kennedy Drive, Duvall, WA 98019 Recording secretary: Ester (Candy) Strickland, 2722 E. 84th, Tacoma, WA 98445 Treasurer: Brian Skidmore, 6730 West Mercer Way, Mercer Island, WA 98040 Editor emeritus: Florence Bellis, 2835 N. Oar Ave., Lincoln City, OR 97367 NOW! Directors Orval Agee, Milwaukie, Ore. 1982 Terri Koch, Salem, Ore. 1983 Ruth Huston, Gig Harbor, Wash, 1982 Etha Tate, Milwaukie, Ore. 1983 Orpha Salsman, Seattle, Wash. 1982 Presidents of affiliated societies and chapters Rosetta Jones, Kent, Wash. 1983

Membership Dues of $ 10 a year are payable Nov. 15. Membership includes four issues annually of the ORTHO Rose& Quarterly, cultural chart and seed exchange privileges. Sustaining member $50. Life member- ship, $200; garden club affiliated societies, $ 10 a year; library and horticultural societies, $10 a Floral Dust year; second member in family, $1 a year. Overseas members, $10 a year; please send by • Proven formula, combination international money order. Send dues to the treasurer. insecticide and fungicide. • Controls aphids, Japanese beetles, black spot and certain Publications other flower garden pests. Back issues of the Quarterly are available. Order from the secretary. Manuscripts for publication in the quarterly are solicited from members and other gardening experts, although there is no payment. Please send articles and photographs to the editor's ORTHO ISOTOX committee at 1570 - 9th Ave. N., Edmonds, WA 98020. Advertising rates per issue: full page $60; half page $30; quarter page $15; eighth page and INSECT KILLER minimum $ 10. Submit advertising to the editor. Systemic action. Broad spectrum garden insecticide. Seed Exchange Kills many chewing and Richard L. Critz, chairman, 1236 Wendover Ave., Rosemont, PA 19010 sucking insects. Show Judges ORTHO Etha Tate, 10722 S.E. 40th Avenue, Milwaukie, OR 97222 SYSTEMIC ORTHO ROSE& SPRAY Slide Library FLOWER CARE 8-12-4 Ann Lunn, Route 5 Box 93, Hillsboro, OR 97124 • Feeds and protects • Fertilizes plants; Editor's Committee kills insects by systemic action Larry Bailey (co-chairman), 1570 9th Avenue N., Edmonds, WA 98020 Li,nda Bailey, 1570 9th Avenue N., Edmonds, WA 98020 Irene Buckles, 137732 45th Ave. South, Seattle, WA 98168 Joe Dupre (co-chairman), 2015 N Avenue, Anacortes, WA 98221 Dee Peck, 8813 Patton Road, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Gene Reichle, P.O. Box 923, North Bend, WA 98045 Orpha Salsman, 14016 8th Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98168 38 39