Summer 2009 Vol. 67 No. 3 American Primrose Society Summer 2009 OFFICERS Primroses Joseph B

Primroses

The Quarterly Of The American Primrose Society

Summer 2009 Vol. 67 No. 3 American Primrose Society Summer 2009 OFFICERS Primroses Joseph B. Philip, President Editor President’s Message 26 Spofford Road Jane Guild Primroses Worcester, MA 01607 2647 A Deville Road Victoria BC V9B 3W9 Canada Joe Philip (508) 736-9013 [email protected] The Quarterly of the [email protected] Editorial Committee I would just like American Primrose Society Alan Lawrence, Vice President Maedythe Martin Judith Sellers to start by saying P.O. Box 37 Michael Plumb Lake Delton, WI Alan Lawrence “Thank you” to all Volume 67 No 3 Summer 2009 [email protected] Editorial Deadlines our members for Winter issue - October 15 The purpose of this Society is to bring the people Michael Plumb, Secretary voting for me as the 3604 Jolly Roger Crescent Spring issue - January 15 interested in Primula together in an organization to Summer issue - April 15 new president of the Pender Island, BC V0N 2M2 Autumn issue - July 15 increase the general knowledge of and interest in the (250) 629-6806 APS. I promise to [email protected] ©American Primrose Society 2009 collecting, growing, breeding, showing and using in Primroses (ISSN 0162-6671) is published work hard for the the landscape and garden of the genus Primula in all its by the American Primrose, Primula and Jon Kawaguchi, Treasurer society and hope to forms and to serve as a clearing house for collecting and Auricula Society. All material printed 3524 Bowman Court in the quarterly, except as noted, is improve the public disseminating information about Primula. Alameda, CA 94502 copyright by APS. No part may be (510) 331-3337 reproduced without the permission of APS. awareness of our Contents [email protected] Manuscripts for publication are invited, though there is no payment. Send articles, club to get new President’s Message by Joe Philip �� 3 preferably in Microsoft Word, directly to members on board. DIRECTORS the editor. The Primulas of Peaceland by Ja-Eun Son �� 5 I would really like Shows at the West Coast 2009 by Maedythe Martin �� 7 Through 2011 Linda Bailey Photographs are credited and used only with the permission of the photographer. to hear from our members. Please tell me your Impressions of Tower Hill by Susan Schnare �� 9 1720 Highway 20 East Colville, WA 99114 Photos submitted to the editor are preferred ideas or things you would like to see or have National Show Photos ...... 11 (509) 684-8936 in 300 dpi digital format but other images can be accepted. Any material used that has happen in the APS. 2009 American Primrose Society [email protected] previously appeared elsewhere is properly Annual Show Awards �� 12 credited and used with the permission of Seed Exchange Photos ...... 13 Cheri Fluck the original publisher and/or creator. 17275 Point Lena Loop Rd The 2009 National Primrose Show held in New Membership in the Society includes a Western Show Photos ...... 14 Juneau, AK 99801-8344 England was a big success, and everyone had a National Show Photos ...... 16 subscription to Primroses, seed exchange [email protected] privileges, password to the member’s only fantastic time. The weather was a little strange Primulas of Peaceland Photos ...... 18 section of the APS web site (including the Androsace Photos ...... 20 Through 2010 Rodney Barker Pictorial Dictionary) and use of the slide here this year. It would be cold one day and then library. Androsace, Primula Cousin 49 Woodcliff Road it would hit 90 degrees the next, not a good thing Newton Highlands, MA 02461 Dues for individual or household by Maedythe Martin, with Yvonne Rorison �� 21 [email protected] membership, domestic and Canada are: where the Primula are concerned. We did not A Day in the Gardens by Cheryl Wilson �� 22 $25 per calendar year Julia Haldorson, Membership have as big a show as in years past, but the plants Seed Exchange Treasures by Maedythe Martin �� 24 $70 for three years P.O. Box 210913 Overseas rates are: we had were exceptional. Mary Malloy won the Vintage Bits selected by Linda Bailey �� 26 Auke Bay, AK 99821 $32 per calendar year Best in Show division; let us all offer Mary many Minutes �� 28 [email protected] $90 for three years. Membership renewals are due November congratulations on her win. Officers of the Chapters �� 31 Marianne I. Kuchel 15 and are delinquent January 1. New Members �� 31 1815 Blood Brook Road Submit payment to the treasurer. Fairlee, VT 05045 Advertising rates per issue: Spring is now past, and our favorite Primulas Our apologies to Claire Cockcroft whose name was spelt incorrectly (802) 333-4835 Black and White: in the article “Two New Primulas from China” in the Spring issue. [email protected] Full page: $100 are starting to set seed. We all look forward to Half page: $60 collecting our seed in hopes of getting that one Credits: Photos and text reproduced with permission. Mary Jo Burns 1/4 page: $30 4169 Westwood Drive 1/8 page: $15 spectacular plant. Always remember to set some Front Cover: APS Photo Contest Winner in the “Grown from APS Anchorage, AK 99515 Color: of the seed aside for the seed exchange of 2010. Seed” category: Bobby Lee Daniels’ P. florindae hybrids. (907) 248-2827 Half page: $150 [email protected] Full page: $300 But until we can sow this year’s seed, we look Back Cover: Alan Lawrence, Kris Fenderson and Matt Mattus at Back Cover: $450 to the other garden passions we have before us. the sale tables of the 2009 APS National Show. Contact the treasurer for details. For me, now is the breeding season of my show 2 3 American Primrose Society Summer 2009 pigeons, and I have duck eggs in the incubator. The honeybees are getting The Primulas of Peaceland ready to stockpile all of the sweet honey which I will harvest in the fall. Ja-Eun Son translated by Sunyoung Park and Susan Klement The weeds are growing faster than I can pull them. When will I ever get to In Korea, the “Country of the Morning var. fauriae, P. jesoana, and P. sieboldii. enjoy summer? Calm,” there is a botanical garden Other than those mentioned, we collect named Pyunggang Botanical Garden. and cultivate P. denticulata, P. rosea, P. As you probably know, all gardening In Korean, Pyunggang means Peace, so auricula, P. vulgaris, and P. japonica. societies have experienced a great Pyunggang Botanical Garden’s nickname Also, we propagate and conserve about decline in membership, so we need is Peaceland. Pyunggang Botanical 40 different Primulas that we collected to find ways to stop this happening to Garden has brought its facilities up to from Index Seminum, APS, and AGS. the APS. Therefore, this will be one full functioning by collecting botanical of my first items of business, but I specimens and carrying out botanical Primula rosea blooms first among all cannot do it all alone. We need to find research, cultivation, propagation, other Primulas in our Rock Garden. It solutions and implement them as soon conservation, and education. Pyunggang produces pink blossoms in the middle is designed with 12 theme gardens: Rock of April, and announces, “Spring is as possible. So, I will be calling on all Garden, High Moor Garden, Alpine here!” when other Primulas have only the membership to help in this effort. Bog Garden, Bog Garden, Wild Flower tiny flower buds. At the same time, in Garden, Rhododendron Garden, Pond the High Moor, P. sieboldii is beginning To paraphrase President Kennedy, Garden, Moss Garden, Native Plant to bloom with velvety violet flowers, “Ask not what this society can do Garden, Fern Garden, White Garden, which make my heart flutter even more for you; ask what you can do for this and Lawn Garden. The Rock Garden is than when I see the full blossoms. Also, society”. In order for a society to very famous as the biggest rock garden in the Bog Garden, P. denticulata and succeed, it needs volunteers to help in in Asia. P. japonica are in bloom. Soon, yellow all areas of the society. We have the P. auricula and Dodecatheon flowers following committees that need help: Currently, we collect and cultivate will thrive here, there, and everywhere. The Website Committee, Membership the alpine plants that grow only in In the middle of May, P. jesoana will Committee, Quarterly Committee, our country, in the Baekdu Mountain have a myriad of beautiful flowers in and Advertising Committee. These and Halla Mountain areas, as well as the Rhododendron Garden, which was are just a few areas that can use your the alpine plants from the Rockies, created in woodland. help. Himalayas and Alps. Primulas are one of the alpine plants we collect intensively, Primulas are fascinating specimens cultivate, propagate, and conserve. because there are many varieties, they Please call me personally to talk about flower at different times, and each variety being a club volunteer at: Pyunggang Botanical Garden is located has its own distinctive character and 508-736-9013, or email me at: in Pochen, which is in northwest South unique beauty. If all the Primulas in our [email protected] Korea. Spring comes late to our garden botanical garden survive and flourish, I because it is in the north, and Primulas would love to create a Primula Garden Happy Gardening! arrive with the first warm spring breeze. within the Rock Garden, or I would love to plan a special Primula exhibit in the Joe Philip There are several specimens of Korean Alpine House. That is my small dream native Primulas; these are P. modesta for Peaceland, the Pynuggang Botanical 4 5 American Primrose Society Summer 2009 Garden. About the writer: Shows at the West Coast 2009

Ja-eun Son is a 5th year gardener at the Rock Garden in Pyunggang Botanical Garden Maedythe Martin in South Korea. She propagated and sowed seed plants with the Propagation team before she became a gardener. Pyunggang Botanical Garden intensively collects Spring was particularly welcome in another ‘Jo-Jo’ after his grandson… All Vancouver and Victoria this year after the cover themselves with flowers.” This several genera of alpine plants, including Primulas. Ja-eun Son became fascinated cold and very long winter here. Despite was certainly the case with the entry with Primulas while she was collecting them one by one. She researched a lot of being “lotus land”, we sometimes get a at the AGCBC show staged by APS books and societies while learning about Primulas, which led her to the American winter that kills the rosemaries, cistus member Ruby Chong. Dr. Marcham Primrose Society. and hebes, and this was one. But the continues, “Quite distinct in colour Ja-eun Son has many dreams she would like to make come true. hardy Primula and auriculas didn’t seem again is the superb ‘Clarence Elliott’ to suffer and were a welcome sight after with its large [violet-blue] thrum-eyed · Visit the Himalaya in Tibet and China, where 60% of Primulas grow. snow in March and even an unexpected flowers… The petals are overlapping but short-lived snow storm in early with notched margins and … the eye is · Go to the Primula show sponsored by APS to see a lot of varieties of Primulas and April! (There are some winters when we farinose, creamy white, fading to white meet people who love them. get no snow at all, but not this winter!) and shading into the colour of the petal. · Create a Primula Garden in Pyunggang Botanical Garden. The tube is violet in colour.” The Alpine Garden Club of B.C. held · Organize a Korean Primrose Society. its annual show the second weekend in A delicate little P. marginata in perfect · Attend graduate school for more advanced study about Primulas, and get Masters April at the VanDusen garden. About form staged by a novice entrant, the and Ph.D. degrees. 40 pots of Primula filled the classes for show chairwoman, Diane Hume, won the these harbingers of spring. The season trophy for best Primula in show. A superb Ja-eun Son believes her dreams will come true because she is passionately in love was behind after the cold winter, but example of a dark-colored P. denticulata with Primulas and with her work. the quality of the entries in the show deserved the first prize it won. A very was remarked on by a couple of people. pretty sparkling white ‘Dawn Ansell’, The early small auriculas and hybrids, one of the micro-propagated double A Tribute to Roxanne Muth and Primula marginatas were the most primroses of a few years ago, also took numerous entries – it was too early first prize in its class. It is with great sadness that we report Roxanne Muth passed away April for the auriculas, the seiboldii and the 24th, 2009. She had a difficult and sudden struggle with cancer over the past denticulatas, with one exception. One sad note to the event is that Roxanne winter. We in the B.C. Primula Group particularly miss her at show time, Muth, who has always put on the B.C. as she faithfully set up her country potting shed display with many Primula The plant that first caught my eye was Primula Group’s display, was taken ill memorabilia each year. a very fine example of the P. x allionii last fall, and in fact passed away shortly hybrid ‘Clarence Elliott’. This plant is after the show. In a tribute to her long This year Ruth Anderson, a member one of the Broadwell strain of plants years of making the “potting shed of our Group, put on a display of developed by Joe Elliott in England. corner” come alive, Ruth Anderson in a Primula plant-a-holic’s kitchen Dr. A.J. Marcham in his excellent the Group gathered together plants and and balcony corner, complete with article “Primula allionii, an end or a props to create a “Primula grower’s colorful plants, half-eaten toast beginning?” (Alpine Garden Society kitchen corner” re-creation, complete and a potted plant being groomed Quarterly v.60 no. 3, Sept. 1992 – well with trowel on the kitchen table beside on the table! It was a whimsical worth finding as a reference source) says, the half-eaten toast. A whimsical effort, moment and a fitting tribute to “One outstanding cultivar was named and a fine gesture by Ruth on behalf of ‘Clarence Elliott’, after Joe Elliott’s the Group. Roxanne, whom we will all miss father, author of the sparkling Rock dreadfully at every meeting. Garden Plants (1936). Joe has named Seeing old friends again after what 6 7 American Primrose Society Summer 2009 seemed like a long winter is always the compost than many of the pure P. allionii highlight of the first show. The season varieties to give best results.” Impressions of Tower Hill was too early for most auriculas, but Ian Plenderleith managed to stage a fine Certainly Sue Lee’s plant had been grown Susan Schnare yellow show self, which is probably to perfection. Another magnificent Friday, May 1, 2009 visitors’ center. One side is nearly all ‘Kerridge’s Sunshine’ – trophy winner example of the early spring Primula we Arrival, Early Set up and Benching. glass and illuminates the other side that from the APS National Show held in love to see was a fineP. marginata ‘Alan is very nearly all primroses benched Vancouver in 2002. Lovely to see it Jones’. In a large 6 inch pot which it Returning to Tower Hill produces a on two tiers the length of the hall. It again. filled, this plant showed off the lovely blue color introduced a few years ago by succession of enjoyable sensations: the may be impossible to visit Tower Hill The show in Victoria where Primula April Boettger of Herb Dickson stock. reassurance of the familiar, anticipation Botanical Garden the first weekend growers can stage their plants, the of a pleasurable weekend, and surprised in May without having an intense Vancouver Island Rock and Alpine A very pretty example of the early P. delight at what a nice place it really is. primrose experience. It is common to Society show, was held this year on sibthorpii ‘Springtime’ glowed pink and My memory never does it justice. The meet innocent passersby possibly on the third weekend in April and again yellow. A few more auriculas appeared winding approach up the hill between their way to see the daffodil exhibition demonstrated that the season was behind at this show, and a red garden auricula orchards and banks of daffodils creates coming out of the hall with baffled normal. Last year was one of the best took a first. The trophy winner for Best an atmosphere of peace and beauty, expressions asking, “What are those shows with over 400 pots, but this year Primula in show was an example of the and the attractive visitors’ center is plants?” we barely made 300 entries. The Primula relatively new striped auriculas. ‘Night welcoming. Finding primrose friends classes were well represented with 65 and Day’ is a blue and white stripe raised already at work setting up the show and This year the benches were full and entries. Another suberb entry in the P. by Derek Parsons. Maedythe managed benching plants creates a comforting vibrant with a range of great primroses, allionii class was ‘Aire Waves’ one of to get the plant to the show in perfect sense of purpose and camaraderie. but short on auriculas. The cold spring the fine hybrids raised by Peter Lister in form, and the mealy leaves showed off meant fewer ribbons for us northern England. Dr. Marcham mentions these the well displayed flowers to perfection. As a vender, my time at the show is growers without heated greenhouses. hybrids in his article and comments, “Fine white hybrids have been raised by Many of the auriculas were entered mostly spent in the sales area, and Once again my green- and grey-edged Peter Lister by crossing P. allionii var. by Bryan Davies, who has had health Friday afternoon is always a blur of auriculas stubbornly refused to open alba with the well-known P. auricula problems over the last year. Despite unloading plants and setting up in the in time, although my alpine auricula cultivar ‘Blairside Yellow’. In view of recent surgery, Bryan, with the help of a cloistered walk around the Orangerie. ‘Stonnel’ came through once again with the different flowering times of the two friend brought in about 30 entries. Bryan This year I had been asked to invite and a Best-In-Division award. parents, this is an unusual alliance but has been hybridizing auriculas (and organize the venders, and I wanted to one which has been repeated. ‘Aire primroses) over the last four or five years make sure things went well for them. The absolute high point of the show Waves’ and ‘Aire Mist’ are sister and is getting some very respectable By the time I arrived the tables were for me was meeting Lynne and David seedlings, both white and thrum eyed, show plants like the red selfs in a three set up and waiting (thanks to Joe), carts Lawson of Barnhaven Primroses in both beginning to win show awards. The pan class. A glowing toffee colored were at the ready, and as usual all the France. I have been buying seeds from two are very similar but ‘Aire Waves’ alpine was another one of his recent Tower Hill employees were cheery and Barnhaven since the 1980s and had flowers almost a month earlier than ‘Aire introductions. Pastel garden auriculas, ready to help. been delighted to meet Angela Bradford Mist’. What a triumph of timing! As also in a three pan class, looked lovely when she joined us at the Tower Hill soon as ‘Aire Waves’ finishes flowering and fresh. Show several years ago. The Lawsons ‘Aire Mist’ takes over. ‘Aire Waves’ has Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3 represent the new chapter in Barnhaven large flowers, creamy white on opening, Of course, after the shows were over, Set up, Final Plant Staging, and Judging. history and I was anxious to hear the swiftly bleaching to pure white with no all my striped auriculas came into their eye. … Petals are overlapping, ruffled, own. But the enjoyment, singularly or at latest installment of the saga. with one or two marginal notches…. a show, makes it all worthwhile. The Primula Show takes place in the ‘Aire Mist’ and ‘Aire Waves’ and other Long Gallery, a most attractive wide David and Lynn Lawson sold seeds in cultivars of the series require a richer hall that runs nearly the length of the the Long Gallery for the duration of 8 9 American Primrose Society Summer 2009 the show and so were accessible both Throughout the show, visitors funnel in location and friendly manner. David through the sales area studying the Lawson’s slide presentation began with plants, asking questions, and choosing People at the the history of Barnhaven seeds, but then plants as gifts and for their gardens. took us in a new direction involving open Some are regulars. Our veteran venders houses, plant sales and taking the show included Pierre Bennerup of Sunny National Show on the road. For fifteen weeks out of the Border Nursery in Connecticut, Richard Clockwise from top left: Judith Sellers receivesEtha Tate award year David travels to garden events on May of Evermay Nursery in Maine, from Cheri Fluck; Susan Schnare the grounds of French Chateaus. David and my Mountain Brook Primroses receives Exhibition Plant award, Kris Fenderson presents Deborah is a warm and personable fellow, and from New Hampshire. This year Maria Wheeler with the Species award; Lee Nelson, Cheri Fluck, Barbara later, as I picked out packets of seed, Galletti joined us, bringing wonderful Cenova, Alan Lawrence and Amy he advised me on sales techniques and plants from her Alpines Mont Echo Olmsted at the Joe Pye Weed Garden tour, Maria Galletti at how to get the petals of edged auricula nursery in Quebec. Although she won awards ceremony. blossoms to open fully (keep them dry). the Novice Award, she is in fact quite All photos: Joe Philip expert. The Round Table Primula Discussion was led by Lynne who in a modest Although the weather was cool and manner told about her hybridization grey, quite dismal really, nobody projects, detailed what is involved in seemed to notice. There were good developing a new strain of primroses, crowds and acceptable sales. Generally and supplied clear and thoughtful people were in a cheery mood inspired answers to questions on culture and no doubt by the heady sight of so many propagation. It will be interesting to primroses, combined with essence of sow and grow the results of her efforts daffodil wafting out of the back room. as her new strains become available. As much as I enjoy seeing my old Social Events comrades and catching up on their winter events, I would love to see new Matt Mattus and Joe Philip hosted faces in our midst and more venders a delicious buffet dinner at their offering a wider selection of plants. Worcester home. I always enjoy seeing Perhaps each member could invite a their garden progress and new projects friend along to the next gathering. begin. The Hilton Garden Inn was the scene of Cocktail Hour, Annual APS It is to our benefit that primroses Banquet, and Awards Ceremony, and a captivate no one type of person and that chance to relax, talk, and spend money all are susceptible: children, oldsters, on primrose paraphernalia for a good men, and women. As my friend Laura cause. pointed out, if you just met us on the street you would never guess that any Plant Sales in the Orangerie of us were primrose enthusiasts. I think Saturday and Sunday she meant that in a kind way.

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American Primrose Society Summer 2009 2009 American Primrose Society Annual Show Awards Division I -- Polyanthus Best in Division: Mary Malloy Division X -- Growers Exhibit Hose-in-Hose Best in Division: Judy Sellers 6 different P. pubescens hybrids Division II -- Acaulis Best in Division: Judy Sellers Division IX -- Other Genera in Anomalous Primulaceae Maria Galletti Division III -- Juliae Hybrids Androsace cylindrica Best in Division: Mary Malloy Stalked form (polyanthus) Best In Show: Mary Malloy for Primroses Stalked form Juliana Division V -- Exhibition Plants Most Blue Ribbons: Judy Sellers Best in Division: Susan Schnare Most Species: Debby Wheeler Alpine Auricula Light Center ‘Stonnel’ Novice Award: Maria Galleti Dorothy Dickson Award for Service: Division VI -- Species Jon Kawaguchi, APS Treasurer Best in Division: Debby Wheeler Photo: John Sheridan Primula rosea Seed Exchange Treasures Perennial Seed. Beautiful. Above and right Androsace carnea var. Useful. Native... brigantiaca grown by Maedythe Martin To the Planet. from seed contributed by Riho Teras in Estornia. Below: Primula marginata and grey-edged Auricula ex. ‘Karen Cordray’ grown by Marianne Kuchel.

Photo: John Sheridan

Production · Breeding · Seed Technology

USA Office: 125 Chenoweth Ln. · Louisville, KY 40207 Phone (502) 895-08 07 · Fax (502) 895-39 34 · http://www.jelitto.com · [email protected] German Headquarters: P.O. Box 1264 · D-29685 Schwarmstedt Phone 01149-5071-98 29-0 · Fax 01149-50 71-98 29-27 · www.jelitto.com · [email protected]

12 Photo: Marianne Kuchel Photo: Marianne Kuchel 13 American Primrose Society Summer 2009 Western Shows 2009 This page, top: Primula maximowiczii grown by Maedythe Martin; below: Primula marginata ‘Alan Jones’. Facing page, top: Best Primula in Show, ‘Night and Day’ grown by Maedythe Martin; middle-left: ‘Dawn Ansell’; middle- center: P. x allionii hybrid ‘Aire Waves’ entered by Sue Lee; middle-right: Best Primula in Vancouver Primula marginata; below: Judging at the VIRAGS show Michael and Rhondda Plumb with clerks Photo: Diane Whitehead Photo: Maedythe Martin

Photo: Bailey Guild Photo: Maedythe Martin Photo: Maedythe Martin

14 Photo: Maedythe Martin Photo: Diane Whitehead 15 American Primrose Society Summer 2009

Photo: Joe Philip Photo: Joe Philip Clockwise from top left: Mary Malloy with Best in Show 2009 American Primrose Society National Show stalked Juliana, show bench, show winners (2), sale table.

16 Photo: Susan Schnare Photo: Joe Philip Photo: Joe Philip 17 American Primrose Society Summer 2009 Primulas of Peaceland: Pyunggang Botanical Garden, Korea

Facing page: Rhododendron Garden. This page, clockwise from top left: P. jesoana, P. rosea, P. auricula, Alpine Bog Garden with P. sieboldii. All photos: Ja-Eum Son 18 19 American Primrose Society Summer 2009 Androsace, Primula Cousin

Maedythe Martin, with Yvonne Rorison If you want to expand your growing much of the time, and yet the plants seen horizon, try another Primulaceae, the were amazing. Androsace. They need slightly more drainage than many Primula and may If you want to see more photographs require winter protection, but are a of Androsace, look at Jozef Lemmens’ welcome addition to the array of flowers Androsace World, a website with in spring. many wonderful pictures. Some of the advertisers in the APS quarterly also Last issue of Primroses featured some have plants for sale. Check out the new Primula photographed by Claire website for Evermay Nurser, which lists Cockcroft and her son Dennis Hodge in a few, and Rick Lupp at Mt. Tahoma Western China. (“Two new Primulas Nursery also has some for sale. You from China,” v. 67, no. 2, p. 10-12) may find plants at a local nursery that In this area there are also a number of specializes in rockery plants. And check Androsace, a cousin of the Primula. the seed exchange out in the fall – Yvonne Rorison was a member of the there have been Androsace listed there group that travelled in 2007 to Western occasionally in the last few years. China and the edge of Tibet. At a recent meeting in Victoria, she showed us some Rick wrote an article about Androsace lovely photographs of these plants in in the quarterly some years ago, but their native habitat. Some of the photos focused on the European high alpine are here in this issue of the quarterly for ones. (Primroses, v. 54, no. 2, Spring your enjoyment. 1996, p.18-19) He recommends a well drained mix of two thirds sand and Androsace eurythana, with bright pink pumice or grit, and one third peat. One flowers, was captured on film in the feature to remember, especially here Zhedou pass, the same area in which at the West Coast, is to keep the plants grows the amazing black Primula relatively dry through the winter. Either euprepes photographed by Claire. in the European Mountains or those Another from this area is a tiny white A. of Western China, these plants will be hookeriana. Bright yellow A. bisulca under snow cover all winter, which we var. aurata was found south of Litang. don’t usually have here. Winter wet In the Beima Shan region Yvonne found will not suit these plants. And some will the amazing cushion-forming A. delavayi not tolerate temperatures much below with tiny pink flowers over grey rosettes freezing if grown in a pot. Comments of leaves. Androsace spinulifera, a on the experiences of growers in climate larger plant, with the pink flower head zones with winter snow would be on a tall stem, was seen in the region welcome. between Kangding and Yajaing. We are grateful to see these photos, for the The little Androsace may be a challenge, trip was a difficult one at high altitudes but an intriguing one for the expert Androsace delavayi, A. hookeriana, A. spinulifera, A. bisulca var aurata. All Photos: Yvonne Rorison Primula grower. 20 21 American Primrose Society Summer 2009 hunting expedition in 1997. the drizzle that arrived with the bus. A Day in the Gardens He handed out large umbrellas as well Many visitors were impressed with as catalogs with laminated pages. Cheryl Wilson Primula ‘Radical Red’ a Primula x The Blanchette Nursery specializes in May 1st was a cloudy, overcast day tour, APS members found a similar polyanthus cross which is currently shade plants, particularly astilbe and with a threat of showers, but nothing plant Anemone nemerosa ‘Bracteata’ unavailable but should be in stock next hostas. He also had a good selection could dampen the enthusiasm of a dozen and eagerly purchased it for their own year. Schafer and Sacks are breeding P. of primroses. There was a run on the American Primrose Society members as gardens. sieboldii but they also buy seeds from Anemone nemorosa ‘Bracteata’. Many they toured three gardens in the Boston places like Jelitto and select seedlings to primroses also left the nursery, which is suburb of Carlisle. Along a stone wall in the back yard were be propagated. a family enterprise with only two other dozens of small paper or plastic cups employees – Leo’s wife and son. They The day started at the private garden of holding seedlings Jones had grown from In contrast to Jim Jones’s tightly packed produce more than 100,000 plants a Jim Jones, a member of the American the NARGS seed exchange. small, shady garden, Joe Pye Weed’s year from divisions, cuttings and seeds. Rock Garden Society. Over the past 20 features a great deal of sun in a rocky The plants are all in containers set out years Jones has eliminated the lawns Although few primroses were in setting. Primroses nestle along the on landscape cloth. In the winter they that once surrounded his modest house evidence, many plants in Jones’s periphery under stands of pines and are covered with foam. In the summer, and replaced them with gardens filled garden would be very compatible with other trees. The iris is displayed in the shade cloth protects from the hot sun. with unusual plants. He even built a primroses. They included trilliums, Iris sunny center on rock outcroppings. Last winter, with its alternating frigid small greenhouse with an underground pumila, Ranunculus ficaria ‘Brazen One charming tree in bloom was an temperatures, wind and vole population tunnel to his basement. Hussy’, Fritillaria pallidiflora, ornamental peach with double cerise explosion, was a hard one for the nursery, cyclamens, Adonis amurensis, miniature flowers. Jan Sacks said she has sent but still the plants stretched row by row Stone walls create raised beds in the daffodils, Lathyrus vernus, glaucidiums, seeds to Broken Arrow Nursery in in amazing order. front yard and a sunken terrace is a hellebores and an epimedium with Connecticut in hopes they can propagate feature on one side. The back garden very tall yellow flowers named E. x it for sale. The couple declined to sell The day was a contrast in gardens: from is filled with epimediums, many of perralchicum. The rain held off during plants on site but had dozens for sale at Jim Jones’ rarities grown in profusion them introduced to America by his the hour-long visit to Jim Jones’s garden Tower Hill during the weekend. They along shady paths, to the open sweep of friend Darrell Probst. Interspersed are and didn’t threaten again till late in the also provided catalogs for future mail Joe Pye Weed’s garden where Marty and unusual shrubs, especially viburnums day. order. Jan are the only gardeners, to the neat that provide shade and protection for rows of Blanchette Nursery. It was an the wild flower and rock garden plants The second stop was at Joe Pye Weed’s As we bumped along back roads on inspiring day and nearly everyone took below. Along one stone wall was a Garden, home of Marty Schafer and the bus to our final stop, we enjoyed home a plant or two as a remembrance. bright pink cardamine which attracted Jan Sacks. They breed Siberian iris and a delicious sandwich lunch provided the attention of Joe Philip. He saw me Primula sieboldii for mail order sale and by Joe Philip. The efficient bus driver taking notes and asked me to write down have a thriving cut flower business at handed out plastic trash bags so that his the complete name. I recorded it as C. the Boston Flower Market. Upon arrival bus would stay neat. Little did he realize Quarterly Sets pentafyllos but can’t find it anywhere on we were served iced tea or coffee with that the last stop would be a challenge in the Internet or in garden books. homemade coffee breads. Jan then led terms of neatness. Everyone, even those a tour of the gardens which encompass who had to fly home, bought plants at Available - $25! Anemone nemorosa was another eye- an acre and a half. The gardens feature Blanchette Gardens. The driver begged Please contact Cheri Fluck for us to keep our purchases on the floor catching plant especially a white variety their introductions as well as many more information: since the bus was reserved for a wedding with a tiny green ruff around the flowers. plants introduced by Darrell Probst. One 17275 Point Lena Loop Rd Someone reported the variety is called charmer was Iris koreana, a yellow- party that evening. Juneau, AK 99801-8344 USA ‘Green Feather’. Later at Blanchette flowered gem similar in growth to Iris Gardens, a commercial nursery on the cristata, which Probst found on a plant Leo Blanchette was well prepared for [email protected] 22 23 American Primrose Society Summer 2009 in Estonia. She also donates regularly to the seed exchange and sent in Androsace Seed Exchange Treasures carnea var. brigantiaca a couple of years ago. Up it came the next spring, and surprisingly for me, it lasted through the whole season! This spring it flowered Maedythe Martin with a crown of tiny white flowers over the spikey green leaves – a feast for the One of the great benefits of the society Grey-edged Show Auricula? eyes. Rhio assures me it will likely live a few more years and hopefully I will get is getting seeds from the seed exchange Marianne Kuchel in Vermont has seed to pass around next year, when it is past its infancy. every year. There are few places to get donated seed to and raised plants from specialist Primula seed, and no other APS seed. One of the newest treasures There are all kinds of treasures to meet a wide variety of tastes and inclinations. place to get hand-pollinated seed of she has is what looks to be a promising This paragraph from the seed exchange report tells us what went first! Those of some species and cultivars except in the grey-edged show auricula seedling. you lucky enough to have any of these plants, please save seed and send it to the exchange. The picture shows the flowers just exchange. Others will be grateful for the surprises to come out of the seed packets. opening, and with seedlings in the show And every year the seeds go off to the auricula classes it often takes a year or “Anything double and anything blue found many takers… The most sought after new owners who have sent in orders two before they settle down to what [seeds were:] double vulgaris, named forms of sieboldii, gold-laced polyanthus, and happily receive their seed, with they really mean to be. But what an gold-laced Jack-in-the-Green polyanthus, Elizabethan primroses, double red all the promise of things to come. But attractive silver edge and deep black auricula, vulgaris Barnhaven Blues, hose-in-hose, Juliana Fireflies, and blue what happens after that? Here are a few ground to this ‘Karen Cordrey’ cross Cowichan.” (From the report of the Seed Exchange Chair.) examples of treasures grown from our sent in by Maedythe Martin. very own exchange donations. Primula marginata Another of Marianne’s treasures, now in its second year is a Primula marginata raised from seed sent by Rick Lupp in Washington State. Sometime this Pop’s plants auriculas Primula can be difficult to germinate, but planting it in the late fall and Chelsea gold medalists Legendary Barnhaven leaving it outside may be the answer. It will benefit from the freeze and and seed - still carefully thaw that breaks its dormancy. I have holders of four british national hand-pollinated from had some success with P. marginata collections of primula auricula rigorously selected crosses just raising them on a cool window sill in December/January in plants. We also send my normal seed compost (for me that more than 1,000 cultivars kept – bare-rooted plants is 100% vermiculite, totally clean and many old and scarce traditional to the USA. sterile, and no chance of damping off.) This treasure from the Maritime Alps florists’ auriculas available 11 rue du Pont Blanc is a very garden-worthy plant, and well 22310 worth a place in your collection. www.popsplants.com Plestin les Grèves, France Tel/Fax: 1133 2 96 35 68 41 Tiny Androsace International mail order – new shipping rates! [email protected] Finally I have my first success with pop’s cottage, barford lane, downton, www.barnhaven.com Androsace! We have all enjoyed the Salisbury, Wiltshire, sp5 3pz u.k. wonderful photographs from Rhio Teras 24 25 American Primrose Society Summer 2009 great information to be found in the old issues, with one chosen at random, and this piece was in the summer issue, 1945. It is a lovely descriptive parable of life, death and immortality, Linda says.

We are reprinting the page as it first appeared in Volume II, No. 3 January 1945. Another suggestion from Linda is the tribute to Linda Selected by Linda Bailey Eickman, a gifted hybridizer who introduced the pink strain of polyanthus in the 1950s. Here is a Linda Bailey has chosen the article for us this reprint of that page, from Volume XIV No. 4 Fall time. She was showing a gardening friend the 1956.

26 27 American Primrose Society Summer 2009 American Primrose Society National Show Minutes of the Annual General Meeting . Judy told the board that most trophies were now accounted for and lodged at Boylston. Cheri is looking after the Rae Berry trophy for nd May 2 , 2009 now. The location / disposal of these trophies to be decided at a later meeting. The meeting was held online and by telephone. It opened at 12:10 pm, . MOTION to donate $500 to next year’s show chapter Eastern Time. POSTPONED to next meeting. . MOTION to decide next year’s show chapter POSTPONED to the Board members present: Rodney Barker (Director), Ed Buyarski (President, next meeting. Juneau Chapter), Mark Dyen (President, New England Chapter), Cheri Fluck Membership (Director), Jon Kawaguchi (Treasurer), Marianne Kuchel (Director), Lee Nelson . The president will set up a committee to look into ways of increasing (President), Michael Plumb (Secretary), Judith Sellers (Vice President) membership. . Board members expressed approval of Julia’s package for new Regrets: Julia Haldorson (Director and Membership Secretary) members.

Also present: Joseph Philip, Chairman of the 2009 National Show and President 4. Business Arising and Old Business Elect, Maedythe Martin (President, BC Group and Chair of Editorial Committee) Results of Elections for APS officers . President: Joseph Philip; Vice-President: Alan Lawrence; Secretary: 1. The Minutes of February 1st, 2008 - Accepted as presented (Ed / Michael Plumb; Treasurer: Jon Kawaguchi Judith) . Ballots received were as follows: Joseph Philip (President) 25/34; Marianne Kuchel (President) 9/34 (but withdrew during the voting); 2. Treasurer’s Report (Emailed before the meeting) Alan Lawrence (Vice-President) 34/34; Michael Plumb (Secretary) . Total liabilities and equity as of March 31st, 2009: $27,528.85 25/25; Jon Kawaguchi (Treasurer) 25/25. There were no other st st . Income less expenses January 1 , 2009 to March 31 , 2009: candidates for VP, Secretary or Treasurer. $2,868.43 . Michael, who as secretary received and counted the ballots, told . The gain for the 1st quarter was mainly due to membership dues, the board that more members had participated in voting this time advertising income, and seed exchange revenue. because he believed they were not required to tear a page out of the th . Advertising income for the Quarterlies as of April 16 , 2009: Quarterly. $1,209.00. Total funds presently available for the 2009 Quarterlies including advertising and donations: $3,994.01. 5. New Business . Donations are still a vital source of funding. Dorothy Dickson Award for work benefitting the American Primrose . The Treasurer’s report was accepted unanimously (Michael / Society over the past year Marianne). . MOTION (Michael / Judith): “That Jon Kawaguchi be given the Dorothy Dickson Award for his exemplary work as Treasurer”. 3. Committee Reports Carried unanimously. Seed Exchange (winter 2008 – spring 2009) Technical improvements to communication at APS meetings MOTION (Lee / Michael): “That in future, excess seed be POSTPONED to the next meeting distributed by the seed exchange chairperson equally, or as directed by the APS president, to the membership chair, the National Show 6. Adjournment (Judith/Cheri) at 1:05 pm Eastern Time. The meeting chapter, and other chapters and affiliated groups.” Carried. had to finish early owing to the unexpected rescheduling of a major Website presentation at the show. . Joe Philip has volunteered to look after the website until a webmaster is found. Joe received the board’s thanks. Respectfully submitted, Michael Plumb, Secretary 28 29 American Primrose Society Summer 2009 New Members this Quarter Robert Ellis 12151 – 101 A Avenue Surrey, British Columbia V3V 2Z9 Canada Join the National Nancy Galvin 52 Sunset Hill Road Simsbury, Connecticut 06070 U.S.A. Joni Koerner P. O. Box 6292 Ketchikan, Alaska 99901-6292 U.S.A. Auricula & Beth Rhame 271 High Meadow Road Southport, Connecticut 06890 U.S.A. Arija Robinson 112 Shutesbury Road Levertell, Massachusetts 01054 U.S.A. Karen Searles 691 – 7th Street Lake Oswego, Oregon 97034-2207 U.S.A. Primula Society Marika Sniscak 9059 Meadowvale Court Ellicott City, Maryland 21042 U.S.A. Georgianna Reilly 27 Franklin Drive Stony Point, New York 10980 U.S.A. Midland & West Section Should there ever be a question about your membership, please contact: www.auriculaandprimula.org.uk Julia L. Haldorson, APS Membership P. O. Box 210913 Auke Bay, Alaska 99821 U.S.A. [email protected]

Mr. Bobby Ward Please remember to save your seed now for the Seed Exchange Executive Secretary, NARGS PO Box 18604 this year. The success of the seed exchange, and the society, Raleigh, NC 27619-8604 £10.00 Overseas Membership.

to: The Honorary Treasurer, Roger Woods, depends on you - the members. 44 Tansey Crescent, Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire, LE9 4BT United Kingdom. Please send your seed to: Joe Philip 26 Spofford Road Worcester, MA 01607 in the USA Maedythe Martin 951 Joan Cres Victoria BC V8S3L3 in Canada

OFFICERS OF THE CHAPTERS British Columbia Primrose Group New England Chapter President, Maedythe Martin Co-President, Mark Dyen 951 Joan Crescent Victoria, BC V8S 3L3 132 Church Street Newton, MA 02158 (250) 370-2951 [email protected] [email protected] Co-President, Rodney Barker 49 Woodcliff Road Newton Highlands, Doretta Klaber Chapter MA 02461 Diana Cormack, Acting Chair [email protected] 6635 Wissahickan Ave Philadelphia, PA 19119 Tacoma Chapter (215) 848-5577 Co-President, Candy Strickland [email protected] 6911 104th St. E. Puyallup, WA 98373 (253) 841-4192 Overseas membership £7.50 ($10.00 US) Juneau Chapter Co-President, Cy Happy III President, Ed Buyarski 11617 Gravelly Lk. Dr. Tacoma, WA Box 33077 Juneau, AK 99803-3077 98499 (907) 789-2299 (253) 588-2585 [email protected] http://www.alaskaprimroses.org 30 31