Quarterly oftntAmrwn Primrose Society

VOLUME XXXIII FALL, 1975 NUMBER 4 American Primrose Society ) Quarterly OFFICERS President—Mr. Richard Charlton Rt. 4, Box 364, Gresham, Oregon 97030 of the Vice-Pres.—Mrs. Rosetta Jones 6214 South 287th St., Kent, Wash. 98031 Rec. Secry.—Mrs. William Dines 9017 180th Ave. N.E., Redmond, Wash. 98052 American Primrose Society Corres. Sec'y. East—Mrs. Alice Hills Baylor Stage Coach Rd., Rt 2. Stowe, Vt. 05672 Corres. Sec'y. West—Mr. Gus N. Arneson 1004 N.W. 179th PL, Seattle, 98177 NUMBER 4 Treasurer—Mrs. John Genheimer 7100 S.W. 209th, Beaverton, Oregon 97005 VOLUME XXXIII FALL, 1975

ELECTED DIRECTORS Miss Fayme Haverty, 72 Edmonds, Wn. Mr. Herbert Dicksoti, '73, Chehalis, Wash. Mrs. J. Genheimer, 72, Beaverton, Ore. Mrs. Alan Obersinner, '73, Silverton, Ore. Mrs. Wallace J. Balla '74 Greenwich, Conn. Mrs. Donald Bolton '74 Juneau, Alaska Mr Al Rapp, Immediate Past President ..4918 79th Ave. West, Tacoma, Wash. 98467 TABLE OF CONTENTS Mrs. Frank L. Springer, Editor, ex officio Presidents of affiliated Primrose Societies are included on the Board of Directors President's Message 4 QUARTERLY Florence Bellis — Editor Emeritus Down The Primrose Path 5 Editor—Mrs. Frank Springer 7213 South 15th St., Tacoma, Wn, 98465 The Elizabethan Primroses — Dorothy Springer 6 Regional Editors— Mrs. Donald Bolton P. 0. Box 187, Juneau, Alaska 99801 Your Primroses Need Fall Care 7 Mr. Elmer C. Baldwin 400 Techumseh Rd., Syacuse, N.Y. 13224 Lush Places — Norah Hart 8 Mrs. Alice Hills Baylor Stage Coach Road, Rt. 2, Stowe, Vermont 05672 Mrs. Grace M. Conboy 5846 S.E. Marine Dr., S. Burnaby 1, B.C., Canada Experiences With Primroses 11 Miss Loretta Denier Rt. 1, Box 136, Mt. Angel, Oregon 97362 Herbert Dickson Rt. 5, Box 816, Chehalis, Washington 98532 Questions and Answers — Alice Hills Baylor 12 Mrs. Robert Ford P.O. Box 32, Ocean Shores, Washington 98551 A New American Named Auricula 15 Mr. Cyrus Happy III 11617 Gravelly Lake Dr. S.W., Tacoma, Wn, 98499 Mrs. L. G. Tait 14015 - 84th Ave. N.E., Bothell, Wn. 98011 Auriculas — James Douglas 16 Mrs. James W. Watson Brunswick Beach, West Vancouver, B.C., Canada Mrs. Mary E. Zach 8825 N.W. Bailey, Portland, Oregon 97231 Classified Ads 23 Editor in Charge of Translations— Mr. Keith F. Elcombe 11539 78th Ave., Edmonton 61, Alberta, Canada Membership Chairman, East — Mrs. Elmer C. Baldwin 400 Tecumseh Rd., Syracuse, New York 13224 Question and Answer Chairman — Mrs. Alice Hills Baylor Stage Coach Road, Rt. 2, Stowe, Vermont 05672 Round Robin Chairman — Mrs, Ruth Bartlett Huston _ P.O. Box 42, Gig Harbor, Wash. 98335 Seed Exchange Chairman — A Quaint form of the polyanthus popular since Elizabethan days. This is Mr. Ross Willingham 2248 So. 134th, Seattle Washington 98168 the Jack-in-the Green form known as Jackanapes-On-Horseback. Slide Chairman — Photo by Cyrus Happy Mrs. Dorothy Dickson Route 5, Box 816, Chehalis, Washington 98532 All material for the QUARTERLY should be sent direct to the Editor's Office, 7213 South 15th, Tacoma, Washington 98465

Membership (including four Quarterlies): $5.00 per year, $14.00 for three years The Quarterly of the American Primrose Society is owned solely by the Society, which is incorporated paid in advance. Ten old copies of the QUARTERLY are available for $3.65, and under the copyrighted name AMERICAN PRIMROSE, PRIMULA AND AURICULA SOCIETY. Pictorial Dictionaries at $3.00 each, postage included, at the Treasurer's Office- „* The Editor is Mrs. Frank L. Springer, 7213 South 15th, Tacoma, Wash. 98465 Treasurer, Mrs. John Genheimer, 7100 S.W. 209th, Beaverton, Oregon 97005. It Is published at the Star Printing Co., Tacoma, Wn 98409 (Free cultural chart and Seed Exchange privileges with new memberships.) Published four times a year: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall. All dues are payable each November 15 and should be sent to the treasurer: Copyright 1948 by American Primrose Society MRS. JOHN GENHEIMER, 7100 S.W. 209th, Beaverton, Oregon 97005, Second Class Postage Paid at Tecoma, Washington 4

A feeling of fall is in the air here in the northwest after a month of rain in August and a September record breaking drought. The forcast weather- tV ID rCAlctcnt -J t' 3 wise for this week was a warning of temperatures dipping down into the '30's, 4 ' a reminder that we here have been lulled into a false security and that old man winter lurks just around the corner. Dear Fellow Members, I would like to direct this message especially to the older or more experienced members. My polyanthus are now in full lush bloom and I am enjoying them now Too often in the past years I have heard people complain that the and not looking into spring as I have done for so many falls recently, only to society doesn't do anything for them. And most of the time it was an older be disappointed. I have my cover ready for the winter cold and wind, I have member. A person that has been in the society for a long period of time employed a commercial sprayer to combat my weevil infestation. I have has seen most of the available primroses. In fact has most likely raised cleaned my primrose beds. Now the fate of my spring plants is in the hands most of them. To a person like this it might seem like we don't have too of Mother Nature! much to offer them, tf this is your thought you would be right. You can't expect to find something new to you very often. Hopefully some new seed to grow. Maybe a new method and on rare ocassions a new break. These don't happen very often, do they? When you first started out there was By this time your surplus seed should be on the way to the Seed Exchange always something new. Instead of giving up on your society go to work Chairman, Ross Willingham. The 1976 APS seed listing will be mailed out for it. Articles for the Quarterly are desperately needed. If our editor had with the Winter Quarterly, so be sure to watch for it. A dues reminder is more articles they would be printed. This would make for the larger and enclosed with this issue in the attempt to ease the work load through the more interesting magazine that you have been wanting. I really believe Treasurer's office. you would enjoy serving the society in this manner. Instead of just a few members writing most of the articles, have many people write a few. All these different parties should have hundreds of new ideas. For instance a person living in the south could write an article. Now The Editor has had requests for articles on line breeding, breeding speci- most of the members in that area probably know most of the angles needed cally for color, breeding for doubles, the American native primulas, green- to raise primroses there. But people in other areas don't and would be in- house primula (Kewensis, malacoides, etc.) and how to save and store pollen terested in reading about it. for future use. I ask for your contributions on these subjects so that future The seed exchange is doing a very good job. With all these articles articles can be freshly prepared instead of reprinting them from past you are going to write the editor can stuff the Quarterly with imaginative Quarterlies. and informative articles. Sound good? I think so. You could also step up your quest for new members. The price of everything as you know has gone up. And if we don't get new members to help pay the bills?? We also need these new members to teach, so that The delightful article Norah Hart in this issue comes to us by way of they can continue the good works of the society. Cy and Rita Happy who were able to visit the garden in person. It has a spe- Please see what you can do. D/c/c Charlton cial meaning for the Editor also, for some of the children of the plants grow- ing in this Irish garden are now blooming in my own garden, thanks to the generosity of the former owner, the late Cecil Monson. We hope you enjoy the article as much as we did.

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-**-rx-' / ^« Deadline for Winter 1976 Quarterly ?. scoftfjtra 3>.rubra is December 75, 1975!!!!!!!

Page 4 1975 Fall Quarterly AMERICAN PRIMROSE SOCIETY Page 5 resulted in modern versions bearing larger flowers, and in the case of Your Primroses The Elizabethan Primroses the Jacks, much larger ruffs. A wide Need Fall Care By Dorothy Springer range of colors is now available in Mutations found in the Vernales the form known as Jack-in-the-Green many of the forms and more are yet Primroses need a little added section of the Primula family were or Jack-in-the Pulpit. Here each to come. tender loving care in the fall. known and recorded by Parkinson, blossom is surrounded by a ruff of Double Hose-in-Hose have been The vernal primroses may bloom Gerard and Rea, among others as small green leaves instead of a calyx, recently raised by several growers all winter, so remove decaying old early as the 1600's. giving the bloom the appearance of leaves to prevent crown rot. Tuck A mutation must be abnormal in a miniature nosegay. As with the some organic material up under the form, and it must be hereditary in other quaint forms there are both leaves (never on the crowns) and character; it must be acceptable the true primrose and the polyan- bait for slugs after you tidy up the aesthetically or have an outstanding thus forms. beds for winter. interest in some form. When crossed Another variation of Jack is called Cut back the long leaves of the with a normal form the abnormal Jackanapes. Here the calyx is only candelabras and denticulatas character of the mutant is usually partly replaced by petals and the that winter wet doesn't rot those the recessive character. ruff of leaves is striped with the leaves over the crown of the plant The anomalous primroses were color of the flower. causing it to rot also. highly valued during Elizabethan The form called Jackanapes-On- The primulas that go dormant times and have since been dubbed Horseback carries another ruff of during the winter months such as "Elizabethan Primroses". They have leaves at the junction of the pedicel Sieboldii, polyneura, cortusoides, remained popular thru the years with the polyanthus stalk. the roseas, the farinosas, etc., need with serious collectors of Primula. Another popular form is that of to have their decaying leaves care- Best known of the mutants were the Hose-in-Hose, or Two-in-Hose fully removed also. Those that have the double forms of the primrose. or Duplex or Cup and Saucer. These surface resting buds must not have The Tudors also greatly admired are also of true primrose or polyan- a covering over their buds, but those woodland varieties that die thus habit. In this mutant the calyx HELEN CLARKE's hose in hose acaulis- is replaced by another flower. Another polyanthus Juliana hybrid. Photo by Cyrus down completely need a little extra variant of the Hose-in-Hose is called Happy. covering to prevent heaving from Pantaloon. Here the calyx of the and Hose-in-Hose forms of various frost. lower flower is striped with green, Juliana hybrids are available. Even Use evergreen boughs or wood red or yellow. All the Hose-in-Hose the gold lace is in existance in the excelsior which is available for the types seem to carry the same per- Hose-in-Hose form. asking in the china departments of fume as that of the wild yellow Reading the descriptions of the department stores to cover your primrose, endearing it all the more old forms in various horticultural vernals during the winter. to collectors. writings makes fascinating reading, This T.L.C. during the fall months Still another mutant is known as and seeing the modern versions in really pays off come spring and the Galligaskins. A 17th century shows and gardens takes one back blooming time. writer described these as primroses to the May Day revels of the Morris- whose flowers are folded or crum- dancers. pled at the edges and the huskes of Seed and plants of these quaint the flowers bigger than any of the forms are available thru private 7976 DUES former, more swelling out in the growers as well as commercial sources. middle, as it were ribbes, and crum- ARE NOW DUE! pled on the sides of the huskes'. SEND TO TREASURER Deduct from this then that the Gal- ligaskins is a single primrose with Mrs. Thelma Genheimer a large distorted calyx. 7100 S.W. 209th Renewed interest in those old Beaverton, Oregon 97005 A DOUBLE Jack-in-the Green. quaint forms of the primrose has

Page 6 1975 Fall Quarterly AMERICAN PRIMROSE SOCIETY Page 7 first sight we thought we would We worked on. We gradually be- never manage to clear even a part came more expert, learned which of it, we hardly knew where to start. were the best clothes to withstand By Norah Hart But apart from the excitement of the effects of brambles and nettles Annaghloy House, plain destruction, we had the incen- and most important of all, had found Castlebaldwin, Boyle, tives of exploration and discovery a method of keeping away the mos- Co. Roscommon, Ireland to encourage us, and almost before quitoes that came off the lake in we had settled into the house we hordes: by hanging a sprig of mint For the keen gardener the first special; built at the turn of the cen- found ourselves out in the garden, over each ear. We must have looked excitement of moving into a new tury as a simple farmhouse, it was dressed for action, annoited with decidedly eccentric as we pursued house lies in the garden. He has later modernised and converted into various forms of insect repellent and our destructive paths around the endless scope for admiration, for a comfortable family house, low-lying armed with any tool we could find garden, draped with mint and occa- criticism and improvement, and of and well-sheltered from the winds with a sharp edge. sionally falling into the ponds obscured course the added exercise in patience that come off the lake. The garden It was autumn when we started by brambles. while he waits a full year to see all was made at the same time, also this work and so we did not bother As more of the garden was cleared the aspects of his new acquisition. protected by large trees. The climate to look for the primulas and smaller we found numbers of beautiful plants. Taking over a garden that is famous in this part of Ireland is very mild: plants which we did not imagine to There is an enormous cordyline be- for one particular species of plant there is a lot of what we call "soft have survived under the jungle that side one of the ponds which is very is more exciting still, especially if it rain" and extremes of temperature suffocated them. Instead we decided fine — something we could never is one that he has tried unsuccess- are very rare. The soil is of an acidic have grown in the harsher climate fully to cultivate elsewhere. This type. All these conditions had been of Southern England, and this applied is what happened to us, but with one perfectly exploited in the making of to many of the plants in the garden. the garden. extra ingredient: our new garden There are clumps of bamboo, roses was completely overgrown. It must have been magnificent in and many others, not forgetting soft those days, a haven of peace and fruit and fruit trees. The greenhouse order in the rather wild and pre- proved to contain three vines, which dominantly agricultural land that although they had been exposed to surrounds it. At one stage four or the elements since the night the five gardeners were required to look greenhouse fell down in the big after it; special soil was imported; storm, were quite healthy and are cars were banned as petrol fumes now producing a respectable number would be bad for the plants. No ex- of grapes. pense was spared. However as time We spent the winter making plans went on there was less money and for the garden, although we could less manpower available and the not decide anything until we knew owners were obliged to abandon the fate of the smaller flowers. Then some of their more esoteric ideas. at last spring came and the garden Then the house changed hands. The seemed to heave itself out of a deep next owner was also a gardener, sleep. Now we had no trouble finding specializing in primulas. He grew RHODENDRONS in front of house. the primulas; in every corner of the many prize varieties and sent seed to start with the bigger shrubs near garden they appeared. They had NORAH HART with Annaghloy water dog. to enthusiasts all over the world. the house, which were at least easy survived, it seemed little short of a Three years ago we moved back But eventually for him too the up- to find although woefully overgrown miracle. Of course we cannot know to the West of Ireland after twenty keep of the garden became too much with brambles and ivy. We soon how many did not survive but under years of exile in suburban England. and he had to let it run wild. uncovered an enormous bank of such circumstances one can only be The house we bought is situated on It was in this state when we moved a peninsula in the middle of a lake rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolia grateful that so many did. in. A thick screen of brambles and and daphne which seemed visibly We found double primroses one and has a garden of about two acres, nettles covered the entire two acres, to breathe again as we freed them day, all different colours. Then Tawny which in its heyday was said to be with gentle undulations to indicate one of the finest in this part of the from the weeds that had choked Port and Jack-in-the-Green. Poly- such details as three ponds, a large them for so long. anthus Cowichen. A whole collection country. The house itself is nothing rock garden and a greenhouse. At

Page 8 1975 Fall Quarterly AMERICAN PRIMROSE SOCIETY Page 9 of polyanthus that had seeded them- spring sowing of Auriculas. In other selves and which we transplanted places around the garden we also so they would all be together. They have a variety of Candelabra Primu- were everywhere, in all the least las and multicoloured cowslips, Experiences giving a woodland effect. There are With also small clumps of double prim- roses and various polyanthus — Gold- Primroses laced, Julianas and Cowichen. By Dorothy Springer Now that the first excitement of moving in and clearing the garden is over, we are embarked on the task Two years ago I received two forms, each one distinct from the of keeping the place in the style to pods of seed from the Irish garden other, and of both acaulis and poly- which it was accustomed. Although of the late Cecil Monson. anthus form. it is not quite as it was in the Thirties, This is how he described the ori- As the plants increased in vigor gardeners being harder to come by gin of the seed he sent. thru the summer they were replanted these days, we feel we have reason "I had little hope of seed for you, in a special bed and they began to to be proud of it and hope that one but did manage to save two pods. send up more bloom stalks. Now day it will again be famous for its One is from the very rare old scar- this fall they are still coming into primulas. let Jackanapes On Horseback. Sad bloom. Many plants are yet to bloom, TAWNY PORT to say this is never very viable. The but thus far not one seems to have expected places. And not only prim- other is from the true Harbinger of come from the Harbinger pod! ulas, but all kinds of other plants Spring. This has been in our family There are Hose-in-Hose, Jack in too: many bulbs, daffodils, snowdrops gardens for over 150 years to my the Green, Jackanapes and Jacka- and crocus; and surprises like the certain knowledge. It is a very early napes on Horseback, each one a one we got from the trillium under flowerer and the sex organs are different color. There are reds, white, which gives the flowers a sort rose, pastel pink and apricot, yellows of double look. and creams. This seed was wind pollinated in My favorite so far is a polyanthus, the open, so the LOrd only knows pale pink in color, with the "ruff* what will come from it!" striped in green, cream and pink, I planted the seed in the spring of much like a coleus leaf in the coloring. 1974. The seedlings were carefully Another favotire is a crimson Jacka- protected during the winter and napes, each petal dotted with a tiny SELF SEEDED polyanthus gathered and planted together. looked fat and healthy in early bit of gold. spring. By blooming time I had al- Cecil Monson collected many of most lost the entire batch thanks to the old anomalous forms of the an undetected infestation of weevil primrose and I am most grateful grubs, which almost totally destroy- for the opportunity to have these JACK-IN-THE-GREEN. ed the root systems. I discovered delightful offspring growing in my the rhododendron which turned out this just as the plants were almost garden. to be red. The rhododendrons them- dead. I immediately dug them, clean- selves were spectacular. The garden ed them up and potted them indi- was filled with colour and our sense vidually in clean soil. They rallied of discovery was like that of botan- and some began to show the first Take a friend to lunch. Introduce your houseplants to an ists who discover plants hitherto bloom late in the spring. old friend. HYPONeX1". Now in new unknown. We did not have to travel I imagined from Mr. Monson's packaging. And new, easy to use to find ours though, we just waited. comments that the entire lot would liquid formula. Now at last we have ideal con- be offspring from the Harbinger e HYPONeX ditions for primulas. The greenhouse plant. Instead, to my delight just The Hyponex Company. Inc. has been rebuilt and was finished Copley. Ohio 44321 P. JAPONICAS AND COLORED COWSLIPS. the opposite was true. I had a vir- just in time to germinate our first tual treasure chest of Elizabethan Page 10 1975 Fall Quarterly AMERICAN PRIMROSE SOCIETY Page 11 sinensis and kewensis. I would like to know what others will do well A. You may grow other types of Primulas in your greenhouse besides those you have mentioned if it is QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS possible to keep the daytime tem- Answers by Alice Hills Baylor, Corresponding Secretary perature from going above 55 degrees. Shading of course is needful. Any of Stage Coach Road, Rt. 2, Stoioe, Vermont 05672 the following groups may do well for you: Auricula: the Vernales which includes P. polyanthus, P. acaulis and the Julianas: the Cortu- soides group which will include the Q. Last year I bought seed of two Q. Can you tell me why I have had lovely P. Sieboldii: the farinosae primulas without names. Enclosed poor germination with seed of P. among which is P. darialica. Of are the leaves and flower stalk from Sieboldii? course you may grow some of the both. Are you able to identify these more difficult ones, such as P. reinii PACIFIC for me ? A. I have found that a fine sifting as I know of those who do. If how- of sphagnum moss over the seeds ever it is difficult to keep the day- NORTHWEST A. The larger specimen is P. Bur- when planted helps greatly. Also the time temperature down I would manica, in the candelabra group. It snow and 100 degree water will suggest you start the seed in when was found by Ward in upper Burma hasten germination. (Crushed ice as received then pot up when in second NURSERIES, Inc. at 8000 feet. This is a most attra- a substitute for snow.) If you have a leaf. Put the pots in a cold frame Let us help you plan now ctive garden Primrose. It is robust, place in the yard where moss grows which has a screen cover to protect the scape shorter than many in the try sprinkling some Sieboldii seed the seedlings from birds and rodents. for a beautiful garden. Our group and the whorls are spaced over it in fall. In spring you will find If a glass cover is used one must selection is now at Its beit. closer together, and are more densly the tiny seedlings to lift and trans- ventilate on warm days. Bring the flowered. It is a pleasing shade of plant in a safe flat. pots into the greenhouse when the purple and has been used as a parent weather turns cold, or bring a few GL 4-7173 for several hybrids. The smaller Q. I have read about P. helodoxa. in at a time for succession of bloom. specimen is P. longiflora in the Eu- I have germinated it but have had Of course one could use the taller 11030-N.E. 6th Farinosae section. It is a moist mea- no bloom. Primulas but they do not make as BELLEVUE dow dweller in the Alps, Carpathians pleasing a group for the greenhouse. and Caucasus. The long corolla tube A. This beautiful yellow candelabra makes it easy to identify. The umbels often does not bloom until the second are a rose shade and a group of year. Often the first blooming will Ed. Note: Alice Hills Baylor has seen them make a good garden picture. be in fall. The name means "Glory need to resign as Questions and of the Marsh" and would suggest Answers editor. Her column has Q. Where can I buy a guide to iden- moisture is needed. I have grown it been a steady feature of the Quarterly tify Primulas ? however under a Mt. Ash in moist, for many years and she will be missed not wet, condition and it grew, by all who have read it in the past. A. By sending $3.00 to the Treas- bloomed and prospered for me. It She has faithfully contributed her urer, Mrs. John Genheimer, for a blooms a bit earlier than others in column on time and the Editor has copy of Pictorial Dictionary of the this group and is a large plant with been most grateful. Cultivated Species of the Genus often six to eight whorls to a stem. Primula. I have made inquiries at NATIONAL AURICULA AND PRIMULA the Post Office and the postage to Q. I am interested in growing other SOCIETY — Midland Section West Germany is .20 by boat and types of Primulas in my greenhouse Invites all Auricula and Primula Lovers to join this Old Society $1.32 by air. besides the tender ones, malacoides, Hon. Sec., Mr. P. Green Primrose Hill, Bell's Bank, Buckley, Wares., England Page 12 1975 Fall Quarterly AMERICAN PRIMROSE SOCIETY Page 13 OFFICIAL S.A.F.A. REGISTRATION FORM A National Petiolares Section Mrs. (best yellow Revision Plans I, L.G. Talt certify that plant No. seedling) has bloomed Registry Dr. A.J. Richards, Department of high standard for at least .years, and asked that it be named Plant Biology, University of New- The Tacoma Primrose Society is castle-upon-Tyne, Ne 1 7RU, England, and registered with the AMERICAN PRIMROSE AND AURICULA SOCIETY. in the process of compiling a local is starting a taxonomic and experi- listing of all named cultivars of mental revision of Primula section Presented by, Cyrus Happy auricula and Juliana hybrids grown Petiolares. He hopes that this will currently by the Tacoma members. result in a modern account of this Name of Plant: Anna Frances First Bloomed: 1965 A NATIONAL REGISTRY IS important, but confused group. Al- Yellow Self ALSO POSSIBLE though a number of species are well Variety: Show Auricula Existing Offsets: 100+ Please send the names of plants known in cultivation, recent intro- in your collection to the Quarterly ductions have brought new species Variety:_ .Existing Offsets:. Office, 7213 South 15th, Tacoma, and forms into cultivation. Dr. Rich- Washington 98465, so that work can ards would like to correspond with Original Grower: Beth Talt Cross: Sunflower x Deerleap commence on a National Registry anyone having a good living collection of available named primula in the of this group, or who has living DESCRIPTION OF PLANT Points United States. material of recent introduction or Many requests are received an- living material of the rarer species, nually for sources either commercial he does not want: Pp. aureata 'Forma', TUBE: Absolutely round-clear yellow 1 0 or private, for these named clones. cunninghamii, drummondiana, edge- ANTHERS: Level with surface of pip-closing 10 After the listing has been completed worthii, gracilipes, gracilipes *Nana', it will be published in the Quarterly, griffithii, griffithii hybrids, irregularis, over the tube in the hope that most of these will irregularis 'Major', petiolaris, scapi- PASTE OR CENTER: Smooth, dense . white • circular 25 be kept available for future gener- gera, 'Scapeosa', sonchifolia, strumosa clearly defined ations to enjoy. hybrid or whitei. BODY COLOR OR COLOR: Clear bright medium yellow. 15 Garden Tragedy Averted unshaded By Gus N. Arneson PIP: 7 petals. unusually circular outline, flat, no I almost did a wrong thing this week but, on second thought, I did notches. All zones in perfect proportion 20 the right thing instead. I had good reason to be thankful. STEM & FOOTSTALKS: Stem strong, footstalks 10 An afternoon delivery had brought rigid well proportioned several dozen primula seedlings and SIZE, SUBSTANCE, REFINEMENT (PIPS & TRUSS Excellent-1 9 they were in need of immediate planting. By the time a bed was pre- SPRING HILL point off because of grooming pared and the plants set and watered in it was past the dinner hour and I FARM DESCRIBE LEAVES: Very white, rather on the small side. was tired. Since my slug problem in P. O. Box 42 the area seemed fairly under control GIG HARBOR. WASH. 98335 DEFECTS: Specimens could be Improved by growing Just I had about decided to quit for the Fresh Seed of day and put out bait in the morning Polyanthus, Acautis, Juliae a little larger. but changed my mind and spread $1.00 slug bait before knocking off. Next Double Vernais, morning three slugs, each big enough $3.00 for 50 seed S.A.F.A. JUDGES Cyrus Happy Anne Siepman to destroy most of the new plants Transplants after August in one night, lay close to my seed- RUTH BARTLETT HUSTON *This plant won the Bamford Trophy in 1967 (See Fall Quarterly, 1967, lings — all dead in their slime. pg. 78) and is long over-due in naming. Page 14 1975 Fall Quarterly AMERICAN PRIMROSE SOCIETY Page 15 ence when JOHN REA published his number of years that the Auricula "Complete Florilege" in the year has been cultivated in this country, 1702. After REA'S day the popular- the varieties are comparatively few, i >ity of the Auricula increased greatly yet from the increasing establishment AURICULAS and various rules were published of flower societies not only in En- whereby rival flowers might be gland but in Scotland and Ireland By James Douglas compared and their relative merits also we may very fairly expect in (reprinted from a lecture with the determined. RICHARD BRADLEY, the course of time a very consider- permission of his son, Mr. Gordon in his New Improvement of Garden- able accession of new varieties." Douglas) ing, published in 1718, lays down "a THOMAS HOGG's expectations, if standard of excellence required to realized, did not extend much longer be possessed by skilful florists in the than his day. For in the last quart- growing of an Auricula"; and in 1757 er of a century there have been fewer A talk on the florist's Auricula rity say that the eye or white central JAMES THOMPSON published in disc of paste was at this time de- varieties introduced than we find re- would be incomplete without a few the town of Newcastle a work en- corded when THOMAS HOGG sat words on the antiquity of the cult. veloped. If one can form any judge- titled "The distinguishing properties ment of the sketches given by both down to describe in his inimitable By the courtesy of the Royal Horti- of a fine Auricula. style the beauty and worth of the cultural Society I have been able to GERARD and LYTE, there was cer- From the earliest years of the tainly a great improvement in size florist's Auricula of his times. collect some interesting facts from eighteenth century the cultivation At this stage a few words may be works written many years ago by and form between the years 1597 of the Auricula had been diligently useful in explanation of the points English and continental florists. It (GERARD) and 1629 (PARKINSON), followed out by the Lanchashirz of a modern Auricula as required is established that continental horti- for the drawings of GERARD por- weavers. In the year 1746, at the by the florist of to-day. There are culturists had some knowledge of tray small flowers with but four pips early age of 15, JAMES FITTON of five types: viz. green-edged, grey- the Auricula even before GERARD to each truss, while PARKINSON Middleton began his career as a edged, white-edged, self-coloured, published his Herbal, for BAUHIN illustrates flowers quite treble the grower and raiser of show varieties. and fancies. Then we have the dis- in his Phytopinax, published in the size and trusses bearing as many as He died at the good old age of 86, and tinct section called Alpine, which year 1569, mentions twelve varieties thirteen blooms. According to GER- his son was still cherishing his fa- again is divided into three types, of Auricula ursi^ or bear's ears, and ARD, the Auricula seems to have ther's collection at the age of 80 in in a very interesting work published suffered from neglect of cultivation the year 1831. Auricula-growing must at Douay in 1616, entitled Jardin in the sixteenth century but in 1633, surely have been a pastime condu- d'Hiver, there is a peom in praise of when JOHNSON published his edi- cive to longevity, for another famous the Auricula, or d'oreilles d'ours as tion of GERARD, he mentions a very grower, JOE PARTINGTON of they are called. great many varieties grown by Mr. Middleton, grew and exhibited Auri- MATTHIOLUS, having in view its TRADESCANT and Mr. Tuggie. culas for 71 years, and at the age of supposed healing powers and moun- TRADESCANT had a "fine garden 96 was a hale and hearty old man, tain origin, named it Sanicula alpina; of rare plants" at Lambeth and at whose chief delight was to discourse GESNER called it Lunaria arthritica; the time JOHNSON wrote was gar- of his victories at the shows of half PARKINSON in his Paradisus, pub- dener to Charles I. Being a Dutch- a century before. When, a lad of 16, lished in 1629, classifies it as a cow- man, TRADESCANT would doubt- he carried off the premier award at slip and says those who have been less possess that high knowledge of Eccles for a variety named 'Victory,' industrious in sowing seeds of the the florist's art for which his country- raised by Colonel TAYLOR in the several sorts, have so succeeded in men in that day were justly renowned, early nineteenth century. raising varieties that he would not and there is little doubt that he It is remarkable that, in spite of be able to enumerate them all. He applied his skill to the hybridizing the professed admiration by the describes, however, twenty-one and improvement of the Auricula. large majority of a flower-loving varieties, and a drawing of one of Although at this time the practice public, so few people seem inclined these, "the greatest faire Bears ears of raising Auriculas from seed was to venture on the cultivation of the with eyes." This last shows plainly common, it was not until later that florist's Auricula. THOMAS HOGG, that the florists of the seventeenth any attempt was made to fix a stan- schoolmaster and florist, writing century had much improved the dard of excellence. Some such stan- over one hundred years ago, prophe- flower. Perhaps we might with autho- dard appears to have been in exist- sies in these words: "Considering the EDGED AURICULA Page 16 1975 Summer Quarterly AMERICAN PRIMROSE SOCIETY Page 17 gold-centred, cream-centered, and All four parts must be in correct appearance of flour and is, of course, The florist's Auricula is as readily white-centred. The truss or compact proportion one to another. perfectly white. responsive to simple common-sense flower-cluster at the top of the stem After long and careful experiment, A self Auricula should possess a methods of cultivation as any other should be carried erect on a stalk I give you the relative proportions yellow tube and an inner circle of flower in the garden. The family to long enough to stand well up from of a perfect flower: smooth white paste. The edge or which it belongs is of mountain the centre of the foliage; but at the The Tube: three-sixteenths of an border may be of black, maroon, scar- origin: therefore it is not difficult to same time it must not be attenuated. inch across. let, blue, red or yellow; the colour appreciate the fact that Auriculas The Eye: nine-sixteenths of an inch love a pure cold air best of all, al- across. though they have many years been Width over all - that is to say, from grown with great success in Shef- edge to edge of a flower: one and field, Manchester and the Midland three-sixteenths. towns, by such well-known men as It will thus be seen that the eye the Rev. F.D. HORNER of Kirkby or paste should be three times the Lonsdale, SAMUEL BARLOW, Dr. width of the tube, and the edge or HARDY and BEN SIMONITE. In border, including the body colour, London the Auricula has always half the width of the paste, measur- done well in spite of prevailing fogs. ing from the outside edge of the eye. The finest plants I ever saw of that I may say that the perfectly propor- grand old grey-edged variety 'George tioned flower is rare indeed. Lightbody' were grown at Enfield The tube of a green, grey, white by Mr. W.B. CRANFIELD. They or self Auricula must be yellow. were very much finer than any plants The eye or inner circle of paste of this variety I have seen grown at should be pure white, heavily and Edenside - which is saying quite a smoothly laid on, without the tendency lot. And so it will be seen that the to encroach on to the body colour. florist's Auricula can adapt itself to a diversity of climatic conditions, al- ALPINE AURICULA The body colour should be intense black radiating evenly into the green, though I have always found that it The stalk must be proportionate to resents a damp, confined atmosphere. the leaf, and the truss and pedicels gray or white of the border a mod- erate distance only. Very rarely at any time of the year to them both. This standard applies SELF AURICULA should the ventilators of the house to all florist's Auriculas. The bloom In the case of a green-edged Auri- cula, the colour of the edge should or frame be entirely closed, even in itself is a different matter, and the must be absolutely clear and devoid frosty weather. A prolonged spell standard of perfection even more resemble freshly applied green paint, of even a suspicion of farina. although few do. of frost may be the means of hasten- exacting. I will take the green-edged The flowers or pips, as they are ing the decay of the lower leaves, flower first, and, with the hope of The grey-edged Auricula resembles called, of all four types must be per- a green in every respect except that but, after all, this is a natural state, making my explanation quite clear, fectly flat and smooth. The num- merely the hastening of a normal will divide the bloom itself into four the border or edge has the appear- ber of segments should be six, al- ance of having had a thin film of process, for all Auriculas lose three parts: though sometimes five and some- or four of their leaves at the base of 1. The Tube, inside which is grouped farina spread by Nature over the times seven are met with. The pin edge or border, imparting a grey the plant in the winter months. These the pollen-bearing stamens. or pistil of every type should be be- are quickly replaced as the mild 2. The Eye, or pure white farina- appearance to the flower; and as the low the base of the stamens, other- green-edged vary in shade, so also warm days of spring induce young covered disc. wise it is known as a pin-eyed defect growth to develop from the heart of 3. The Body, a serrated circle of do the grey-edged, some being of a and as such worthless from an exhi- white-grey and others of a green- the plant. The Auricula, although a dense black, radiating into the bitor's point of view. Of late years shade-loving plant like many others border or edge. grey tint, no particular hue being another has been added to the offi- insisted on by the standard of quality. of mountain origin, must not be kept 4. The Edge or border - that margin cially recognized classes, that of the entirely from the sun, especially in round the edge of the corolla A white-edged Auricula resembles fancy. This non-comer can be best a grey-edged except that the edge winter and the early spring days. No which determines the type, such described as any variety distinct sunshine that we are likely to be as green, grey or white, and the or border is so heavily covered in ,m from the four whose points I have farina by Nature that it has the blessed with up to the 1st of April colour in the case of a self. already dealt with. is likely to distress the plants, nor 1975 Fall Quarterly AMERICAN PRIMROSE SOCIETY Page 79 after the 1st of September should is necessary when watering newly pot, which should be only slightly to sustain the plant until the potting the sunshine available be withheld. potted Auriculas, for if overwatered larger than the old. It is better not season comes round, it hardly seems Using a medium fabric, we shade they are prone to rot off at the neck. to interfere with the bottom of the worth while to disturb and perhaps between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. (new time) It is a good rule to make sure that stem or carrot, unless as is some- mutilate any young roots that may from the 1st of April to the 1st of freshly potted plants have rotted times the case, decay has taken place be running in the soil within an inch September, Little water is needed through to the side of the pot before at the extreme end; remove all such or less of the surface. Certainly in in the winter months - perhaps once becoming too lavish with the water decayed carrot with a sharp knife, the case of a plant that has been a week. In the spring and summer can. When potting always contrive cutting through just above the affect- loosely potted, and when one is able when growth is continually going on, that the lower leaves are above the ed part, afterwards using a dressing to press the soil down with ease, once a day should be enough - but level of the soil, for if the base of the of fine powered charcoal to prevent top-dressing is beneficial, in fact again, "if they need it." leaf is buried there remains always any further trouble of the same kind. necessary. Assuming that potting is I will now pass as quickly as pos- a risk of the plant rotting off, especi- Although it is better to remove as done firmly and with good compost, sible to the important question of ally in the winter months, when the little soil as possible from a healthy such as I have described, top-dress- compost. If any proof of the hardi- lower leaves die off naturally. plant when repotting takes place, it ing is unnecessary. In spring a weak ness of the florist's Auricula were The operation of potting is quite a is advisable, in the case of a plant solution of sheep or cow manure and necessary, I should point to the com- simple matter and, I believe, does that for some unknown reason shows soot can be used once a week. post used by ISAAC EMMERTON not differ from that employed in the signs of ill-health, to wash every (To be Continued Next Issue) when George the Third was King. potting of the whole Primula family; particle of soil from the roots. One EMMERTON was, I believe, a famous and it may interest members of the is then able to make a thorough Editor Note: florist of Barnet near London, who Primula Society to know that we examination, to remove all signs of flourished some hundred and fifty have grown, at various times, nearly decay, to assure oneself that no The above lecture was presented years ago. In his treatise on the every species of Primula most satis- insect pest is at work, and to renew some number of years ago by Mr. Auricula, published in the year 1819, factorily in the compost we used for the old and possibly sour soil with James Douglas. The Editor has taken he advocates a compost which he Auriculas. I have already suggested wholesome compost. the liberty of deleting some of the claims, "will cause your Auricula that June is the best month to pot There is no doubt a tendency, especi- references to his former nursery and to increase as rapidly as couch grass Auriculas. In a large collection such ally in the case of beginners, to over- to composts used there, as well as in the fields!" And here is the remark- as ours, potting extends into the pot their plants. The smaller the several personal observances. The able mixture recommended: early autumn. We always prefer pot a plant can be grown in the lecture was given of course in Eng- 1 barrowful of goos dung; these later potted specimens, for better for that plant, is a good maxim. land, and the suggestion has been 1 do. of sugar baker's scum; there is a certain risk to be taken No definite rule can be laid down, made that the article be read with 1 do. of night soil; with the early contingent: plants but the following statement may the idea of adapting some of the 1 do. of loam. potted in early June often have a help to illustrate in a collection of 100 practices to modern day care of the When we consider that only one- tendency to flower prematurely, and good healthy plants I should expect auricula in the United States and its quarter of this fearsome mixture nothing is more annoying than to to find 20 potted into 5-inch pots, 40 various climates. was really a wholesome root-inducing realize that some of your best plants, into 4V2-inch, and the other 40 into ingredient, one is tempted to remem- destined for spring exhibition, have 4-inch and 3-inch. The largest pot in ber Prince Henry's words after decided to give you a badly de- use at Edenside is the 5-inch, com- reading Falstaff s tavern bill: "Mon- veloped truss in the autumn. Let us monly called %8s\g in spring, or at any strous! but one halfpennyworth of then fix the time for potting our 1976 Dues bread to this intolerable deal of sack!" plants as the end of June, and every- other time of year, I have never Are Now Due!! People have hinted that there are thing being ready, turn out the really deemed necessary. If the loam secrets known only to experts. There largest and best specimen in the used is good enough and rich enough are no secrets and no mysterious collection and examine its roots preparations. All that is necessary for Aphis . Where this pest is found to ensure success in the cultivation the roots must be saturated with NATIONAL AURICULA AND PRIMULA of the florist's Auricula is fresh air, pure methylated spirit, applied with SOCIETY — Southern Section good loam, and common sense. an old shaving brush; remove with Invites all Auricula and Primula Lovers to join this Old Society The best month for potting is June, a pointed stick as much of the old Membership of $5.00 per year includes Year Book although plants can be potted all the soil as is deemed necessary, repott- Lawrence E. Wigley year round. A certain amount of care ing firmly and neatly into new the 67, Warnham Court Road, Carshalton Beeches, Surrey England

Page 20 1975 Fall Quaretriy AMERICAN PRIMROSE SOCIETY Page 21 The American Primrose Society Quarterly Report April 1, 1975 — June 30, 1975 Classified Ads

TRY JOE'S BULLETIN — happy, little, Balance April 1, 1975 $2,009.27 1976 53 year old "Between Ourselves" garden- Expenses: er's magazinette, Buy, sell, exchange Quarterly printing — Spring issue 713.40 direct nationwide. Save! Make new Editor, editing, & Postal fee 155.34 A.S.P. friends. Sample 25c applicable to sub- Horticulture Ad 43.20 scription. Write Joe's Bulletin, Box 144A, Cy Happy photo 2.50 Seed Lamoni, Iowa 50140. Petty cash, Stamps & postage 40.00 Refund to members 40.00 List AL RAPP, Masonry Contractor, Inc. State of Wash. Dept. Revenue 9.72 Fireplaces our specialty. Enhance your 966.41 patio. Brick planters or B-B-Q. — Fresh will be sent Seed of Double Auricula, 15c per seed, Income: min. order $1.00. Send self addressed en- with velope to 4918 79th Ave. West, Tacoma, Membership 1975-1978 533.80 Wash. 98467, Phone 564-9557. Commercial Aids 112.00 Winter Quarterly Dictionary Sales 1441.00 PICTORIAL DICTIONARY of the Cul- Quarterly sales 31.50 tivated Species of the Genus Primula. Commercial Ads 112.00 Watch For It! Published by the American Primrose So- Dictionary sales 141.00 ciety, $3.00 per copy. Send orders and Quarterly sales 31.50 checks to Mrs. John Genheimer, 7100 Charts 2.75 S.W. 209th, Beaverton, Oregon 97005. Donations 53.64 THE NORTH AMERICAN Interest on Savings Acct. 104703 18.57 893.26 LILY SOCIETY, INC. Balance on Hand 2009.27 offers Quarterly Bulletins and a Yearbook, 2902.53 a Seed Exchange including hybrids Expense 966.41 and Species, Round Robins and ac- Balance June 30, 1975 $1936.12 cess to slide collections and our ex- Those desiring to join tensive library. A. P. S. ROUND ROBIN Submitted: Thelma IV. Genheimer Dues $7.50 Annually Please Contact Treasurer: American Primrose Society Mrs. Ruth Bortlett Huston, Airs. Beffy Clifford Chairman Executive Secretary Spring Hill Farm Route 1, Box 395 P.O. Box 42 THE SCOTTISH ROCK GARDEN CLUB Colby, Wisconsin 54421 Gig Harbor, Wash. 98335 offers you . . . Its twice yearly journal, well illustrated in black & white, and containing authoritative articles on all as- NATIONAL AURICULA AND PRIMULA pects of rock gardening, rock plants, and their world- SOCIETY — Northern Sectior, wide haunts. Its excellent annual scheme for the dis- tribution of rare and unusual seed amongst its interna- Invites all Auricula and Primula Lovers to join this Old Society tional members. Membership of $4.50 per year includes Year Book For £1.50 per year ($3.90). Hon. Sec. David G. Hadfield R.H.D., Orr, C.A., 70 High St., Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland, ) 146, Queens Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire SK8, 5HV England will be glad to send particulars

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