Primroses Volume 55, No. 3 Summer 1997 American Primrose Society - Summer 1997 American Primrose Society - Summer 1997

American President's Message Primroses Primroses Primrose Society EDITOR OFFICERS 'Sumer is icumen in'* — and I hope you will all Quarterly of the American Primrose Society Claire Cockcroft June Skidmore. President enjoy a good one. As another APS year begins, I look Volume 55 Number 3 Summer 1997 4805 -228th Ave. NE 6730 W Mercer Way Redmond, WA 98053-8327 Mercer Island, WA 98040 forward to a successful year ahead and welcome aboard Tel: (425) 868-6788 Tel: (206) 232-5766 our new Officers and Board members. My thanks go to Contents E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] all the previous Officers who have helped the Society 2 President's Message EDITORIAL DEADLINES Fred Graff, Vice-President Winter issue — November 15 2630 W. Viewmont Way W. enormously during the past year. 4 Fairy Primroses Spring issue — February 15 Seattle. WA98199 The National Show in April hosted by the Tacoma By Beth Tait Summer issue — May 15 Tel: (206) 282-5512 Fall issue —August 15 Dr. John Kerridge, Past President group was a great success and it was good to see the 7 'Old Irish Green' 4660 10th Ave. W, #1102 'esprit de corps' between the various Chapters that by Maedythe Martin PHOTOGRAPHIC CREDITS Vancouver, BC V6R 2J6. Canada All photos are credited. Tel: (604) 224-7813 participated. Although it was not a large Show, the 9 Maedythe Martin in Alaska Miwa Ohta, Recording Secretary quality of the plants was high. Rosetta Jones,well known By John A. O'Brien, Sr, Primroses (ISSN 0162-6671) is 5945 NE 201st St. for her double primulas, won Best of Show for an amber 9 The Chickweed Crisis published quarterly by the Ameri- Seattle, WA 98155 can Primrose. Primula and Au- Tel: (206)487-0431 double auricula — an outstanding plant. John Kerridge, 10 Ontario Notes ricula Society. 41801 SW Burgarsky Rd. Gaston.OR97l 19. Thea S. Foster. Corresponding who specializes in Gold Lace primulas, won the Growers By Glen Spurrell Membership in the Society in- Secretary Exhibit with a fine pot of these attractive plants. 11 No Downtime for Birdseye Primulas cludes a subscription to the Prim- 779 E 21st St. roses, Seed Exchange privileges, N. Vancouver. BC V7J 1N7, Canad; It was good to see members exhibiting plants for the by Gerald Taaffe Slide Library privileges and the Tel: (604) 986-0757 first time — including our Editor, Claire Cockcroft, who 12 Faith Eternal opportunity to join a Round Addaline W. Robinson, Treasurer Robin. Dues for individual or 41801 S.W. Burgarsky Rd. won the Novice Award. Hopefully next year when the By jay Lunn household membership in the Gasto^OR97119 National Show is held in the Seattle area, more new 13 Plant Portrait American Primrose Society, do- Tel: (503) 985-9596 mestic and foreign, are $20 U.S. members will bench plants and join in the fun. A number By Ann Lunn per calendar year ($21 for renew- DIRECTORS of members from Juneau, Alaska, attended the show, as 15 Finding Non-hardy Primroses als postmarked after January 1); Through 2000 $55 for three years; or $275 for Harry Leighton well as members from Eastern Washington, British By Claire Cockcroft an individual life membership. 102 Abbey Drive Columbia, and as far away as New York. Garden tours Submit payment to the treasurer. Sunniside Estate, 16 Obconica— The Little Primula That Could! Membership renewals are due Houghton-le-Spring were also arranged during the weekend and these were by Larry A. Bailey November 15 and are delinquent Tyne & Wear. DH4 5LB, England enjoyed by a number of people. 17 The Glory Days of Summer al the first of the year. Periodical Lee Raden As the year goes on I encourage members to save postage paid al Hillsboro, OR, and Alpineflora. I Alpine Way By Claire Cockcroft additional mailing offices. Phoenixville, PA 19460 seed for next year's Seed Exchange. This is an important 20 Around the Shows, 1997 Postmaster: Please send address Tel: (215)884-1411 changes to Pn'wroscs. 41801 SW feature of the of the APS and we are hoping to offer more By Maedythe Martin Burgarsky Rd, Gaston, OR 97119. Through 1999 interesting and hard to find seed for our members. I am Thea Oakley 23 Oregon Primrose Society - Valley Hi Show, 1997 Manuscripts for publication in the 3304 288th Ave. NE happy to announce that the Seed Exchange will be going By Ann Lunn quarterly are invited from mem- Redmond. WA 98053 to Juneau, Alaska, this coming year — in the capable bers and other gardening experts, Tel: (425) 880-6177 24 Journal Report although there is no payment. Email: [email protected] hands of Pat Wilson, who has agreed to be Chairman. By Mary Frey Please include black and white John A. O'Brien. Sr. The Society thanks her. photographs if possible. Send ar- 9450 Herbert Place 25 News from the Chapters ticles directly to the editor. Juneau, AK 99801-9356 Again I would like to stress that articles are always 28 American Primrose Society Bookstore Tel: (907)789-7516 needed for the Quarterly and that the Board appreciates Advertising rates per issue: full 29 That Ugly Ditch page, $100; half page, $50: quar- Through 1998 any feedback as to which features have been most Karen Schellinger By John Kerridge ter page, $25; eighth page and 31335KallaLakeRd. enjoyed. Suggestions are always welcomed. minimum, $12.50. Artwork for Avon, MN 97068 30 Officers of the Chapters ads is the responsibility of the ad- Tel: (320) 845-2235 vertiser, and camera ready copy is June Skidmore, Mercer Island, Washington

American Primrose Society - Summer 1997 American Primrose Society - Summer 1997

Primula malacoides arrived in Fairy Primroses Boston in the year 1914, and the florists Bowing-Seeds in California soon discovered it. Now By Beth Tait, Bothell, Washington this primula is considered one of the best ' Before planting primrose seed, [Ed. note: This article first appeared in "Plants Alive", October, 1975. Plant popularity blooming spring bedding plants. moisten and place in freezer for can rise and fall; perhaps it's time to take another look at an old, sometimes overlooked This plant is easy to grow, and also three days to crack the shell. favorite.] popular because of how rapidly it attains * After sprinkling seed on top of Primula malacoides, sometimes OLD AND NEW VARIETIES the flowering stage. P. malacoides also the soil, add just enough soil to keep called the fairy primrose, is a dainty, The original species had a lavender possesses the great virtue that it is seed from sticking to the paper graceful plant. It has a rosette of basal pink blossom, and was introduced to suitable for cool or heated greenhouses. you'll apply next. leaves, each leaf consisting of an ovate England in 1908 by the great plant There are about thirty named • Cover the soil with a paper to oblong blade, slightly lobed or hunter Forrest, who had found it on one malacoides varieties. Some are: 'Rose towel, leaving the edges turned up. toothed, sustained by petioles of about of his trips to Burma, in the mountain Queen', 'Princess Mary', 'Duchess of Keep the towel moist until seed twice its length. Some varieties have area of Yunnan in the year 1884. Kent', 'James Box', and 'Sutton's germination takes place. slightly hairy leaves. Farina (a powdery Recognizing P. malacoides as a superb Eclipse'. 'Peter Pan' is a dwarf variety, white meal) appears in abundance on greenhouse plant, English, German, and and there are several doubles. most forms of P. malacoides, especially French horticulturists started hybridizing 'Atropurpurea' is a remarkable variety, Fill the pot with a mixture of ° peat on the lower leaf surfaces, the scapes, and came up with quality varieties. with flowers deep pink changing to moss, v garden soil, v washed sand. and the inner surface of the calyx lobes. Sutton & Sons of England did a tremen- crimson and finally almost maroon. This You may sterilize the soil in the oven if The height of the bloom stalk dous job. strain is gigantic in bloom size. you wish; a couple of hours at 350°F (scape) is about 12 to 16 inches, depend- Some of the modern varieties should do it. I never bother, as weeds ing on the variety. By the time the produce blossoms an inch and a quarter SEEDS AND POTTING usually grow faster than any man-planted successive whorls of flowers reach the in diameter, and also doubles, which Primula malacoides is easily raised seed, and I pull those out. top, making the appearance of one circle seem to be so much in demand these from seed. Be sure you buy the best After you have filled the pot, firm of flowers on top of another circle, each days. They come in many shades. seed you can get; then your efforts won't the soil, and fill again until soil is within bloom on a separate pedicel circling The size of the plant itself has been be in vain. July seeding brings Christ- 2 inches of the top. Now you sprinkle around the main stalk, a most attractive greatly enlarged by hybridizing, without mas bloom. the seed on top of the soil, then a light plant appears. detracting from the grace and delicacy of When seed has been stored, it's best peppering of soil — not enough to cover the original habit. to freeze the seed. Open the package, the seed, but just enough to keep the add a couple of drops of water, close the seed from sticking to the paper towel package, and place in the freezing you're going to put on next. compartment of your refrigerator. The Place a paper towel on top of the Photo by Claire Cockcroft water will keep the seed from freeze soil with the edges sticking up. The drying, sapping the life from seeds. towel will look like a large cup. This is Your object is to freeze the seed and where you will pour a cup of warm water crack the hard little shell. Mother for three mornings in a row. Thereafter, Nature does that by frosts in winter. keep the towel wet at all times until After the third day, remove from the germination. Once dried out, you might refrigerator and sprinkle the seed over as well forget it, as your germination has the topjaf the soil that you had prepared stopped. for this purpose. Use a 6-inch clay pot Keep the pot in a 60 to 65°F room. that has been washed and soaked In a week or so, lift the paper towel to The secret of success in growing overnight in water (a wet pot will not see if the seeds have germinated. You fairy primroses is to provide them take all the moisture out of your soil). will notice the sprout or white tail on the with perfectly cool, moist conditions. American Primrose Society - Summer 1997 American Primrose Society - Summer 1997 seed; this white sprout will turn and go greenhouse plants. In order to grow a into the soil, raising the seed capsule into specimen plant, care should be taken to 'Old Irish Green' the air. It's fascinating. keep the plant at a slightly lower by Maedythe Martin, Victoria, British Columbia temperature than is commonly used in GROWING ON growing P. malacoides on, at least until Years ago, Cy Happy brought me a 'Old Irish Green' survived and Now that the seedlings are on their an elaborate root system and a volumi- small auricula plant on one of his trips to flourished, making a huge clump by way, remove the towel. Place the pot in nous mass of foliage has been developed. Victoria to judge primulas at the alpine 1994. There is a photo of the large pot a shallow container that will hold water, The vigorous center scape which first plant show. "Here, put this in your in Primroses, Summer, 1993, p. 19. Up as you will be watering from the bottom appears should be pinched out, making it auricula bed", he said. I had been to this point I had merely grown and so as not to disturb the little seedlings. possible for the many lateral scapes that growing auriculas for three or four years enjoyed it. I gave away offsets to friends Do not place in bright sun, as the appear somewhat later to come to the by then. I had already killed the border for their garden. It is one of the few seedlings are so tender they will burn up, flowering stage at approximately the 'Blue Velvet' (have it again now) but I green-edged auriculas that requires no but they do need light and also ventila- same time. still had Drake's 'Bronze, No. 8' (alas, fussing or special care. tion. No effort should be made to force a long gone to the garden in the sky!). So I think you would have to call it a In the first watering from the prized P. malacoides, as the more slowly into the auricula bed went the small garden auricula. Despite the green edge, bottom, use a little Captan for damp-off, it grows, the longer it will remain in plant from Cy Happy, 'Old Irish Green'. the dark red, almost black ground and as now is your fungus danger time. Do flower and the bigger and brighter will From Victoria, a few years later, we the clear white eye, the edges where not drown your little plants, but just see be the flowers. moved to Toronto. The auriculas went each of these colors meet are not well to it that the soil is not dried out. Primula malacoides is also a most off to a good home for baby-sitting. We enough defined for a true show auricula. It's time to transplant when the enjoyable plant for the home. If your knew we would be back, someday. But The habit of the plant is fine, the stem is seedlings have three or four true leaves. home has a lack of humidity, which even a year without auriculas was too strong, and 'Old Irish Green' makes Lift them gently from the pot, using a often turns the tips of the leaves brown, much. When I arrived back in Victoria offsets readily enough — after all, it is sharp pencil. You may remove several place the plant and pot into a fancy two years later, in 1980, it was with a still with me some 20 years later. And if at a time, as they are easily divided once container that has crushed rock or suitcase full of seedling 'Gordon you grow a single offset in a pot of good out. Transplant into 2-inch pots. When pebbles in the bottom, about two inches Douglas' and other auriculas. (See compost, it will reward you with flowers they have outgrown these, use 5-inch deep. Allow some moisture to sit in this "Primroses Under Lights", Primroses, the size of a quarter, and ten to a dozen pots for their permanent home. Use the pebble well, but not enough so that the Spring, 1979, pp. 32-33 for my experi- flowers on the flower stem. same potting media, but add some well- plant's roots get overwatered through the ment growing them in Toronto.) They drainage hole. decayed cow manure, ground-up or a were indivually wrapped in newspaper, Photos by Maedythe Martin slow-release type fertilizer. Or water When you tire of your plant in the in a big plastic bag inside a hard-sided with a liquid fertilizer solution every two summer months, it can be planted suitcase, and made the 3,500 mile trip in weeks. Water in between with plain outside in semishade, to be brought back fine form. water as needed, but never overwater. in when fall comes. An easy method is 'Old Irish Green', reclaimed from Just before blooming time, leave the to just sink the pot in the ground; that the babysitter, went into the new plant a little on the dry side. And be way, all you have to do is lift it, clean auricula frame along with the new sure there is good air circulation around the plant and pot, take all the dead stalks seedlings. The new frame was great — the plant, as the leaves are so dense at off, fertilize, and bring it indoors. four feet by ten feet, with an edge sturdy the base that excess moisture can't enough to sit on and weed. Too bad I escape and may cause trouble. Even if SEED SOURCES didn't get to the weeding as often as it the plant should flag a little, you can Seed sources and plant varieties needed to be done. 'Old Irish Green' water and it will soon be back to normal. have changed quite a bit since this story suffered through the chickweed crisis of A well-grown specimen in a 5-inch was originally published. Please turn to 1983. [See page 9.] But it made it! pot is an object of great beauty, and a page 15 for "Finding Non-Hardy This just goes to show it is hardy and Old Irish Green makes a full head of flowers, desirable addition to any collection of Primroses".

'Old Irish Green' continued So where did it originate? Cy Maedythe Martin in Alaska Happy hybridized it, using pollen from By John A. O'Brien, Sr., Juneau, Alaska an auricula flower sent to him from Miss Almost fifty people attended a Photo by John A. O'Brien, Sr. Winnifred Wynne in Ireland, with whom luncheon and presentation on auricula he corresponded. Miss Wynne was primroses by Maedythe Martin held on known as an accomplished grower in her March 15, in Juneau, Alaska. Maedythe time, and had collected many old spoke on the history of auricula prim- auriculas. Among others, she had the roses, the different kinds, cultivation and old 'Double Green', the semi-double how to grow them, and cross-pollinating. striped 'Mrs. Dargen' and 'Osborne Viewers were treated to a slide of a wild Green', found in a cottage garden. (See auricula in the Austrian mountains, the NAPS (Northern Section) Yearbook, The hose-in-hose flower, a surprise on the 1997 scenes of the Duchess of Beaufort's 1951, New Series No. 2.) 'Osborne plant. garden, prominent early growers of Green' is another green-edged auricula 'Old Irish Green' has a striped white, auriculas assembled in their best clothes without the fine points of a show green, and dark burgundy-red double with top hats, and slices of several auricula, and has a purple ground. It was flower. It has a terrible tendency to auriculas, including striped kinds. pollen from 'Osborne Green' that I droop its head, though, so I am now Weather outside was sunny with a suspect Cy Happy used to create 'Old Maedythe Martin, all bundled up, raising the first generation of seedlings sparkling, blue sky, but still in the grips Irish Green'. from it in hopes of the same stripes, but of late winter, with snow and ice Lurking beneath the innocent green auriculas bloom here. Having programs a better, sturdier stem. covering most of the ground yet in edged flower of 'Old Irish Green' are helps Alaskans get through our long 'Old Irish Green' surprised me once Juneau. Quickly lengthening days gave genes that I discovered to be very useful winters. again this year. After I realized it has promise of spring arriving soon in the in a pollinating program. It took me Everyone, including the speaker, interesting genes, I find myself looking North, but it would stiJl be two months until 1993 to actually get seed set and reported enjoying the program, and were at the flowers much more closely now. after Maedythe's talk until garden collected from my auriculas. One of the glad they came.

Plant Portrait continued about the amount of light it receives, P. sinensis makes a good houseplant, as Within only a few years, the off- finding Non-hardy Primroses long as it is kept adequately moist and spring of the first English plant exhibited relatively cool. Under such conditions, it By Claire Cockcroft, Redmond, Washington a natural tendency toward variation. will remain in bloom for a long time. Wild plants have large, yellow-eyed, Primula malacoides, P. obconica, SEED SOURCES: Plants should be fertilized with an all- purplish pink flowers with narrow, single and P. sinensis have all enjoyed great Ball Seed Co. (Wholesale only) purpose formulation from the time the notched petals. Modern cultivars have popularity in the past, but are seen less 622 Town Road buds begin to show color until the larger, fuller petals that are often frilled frequently these days. In fact, P. sinensis West Chicago, 111 60185-2698 growth slows in midsummer. and give the flower a solid, round is downright hard to find. Here is a Tel: (800)879-2255 Potting soil should be water- appearance. Even the cultivar leaves are survey of today's flower market, includ- Primula malacoides 'Prima Hybrids'; P. retentive and rather loamy. The plant larger, broader and present a fuller ing what's new in non-hardy primulas obconica 'Juno Hybrids, 'Libre' mix. needs to be set deep enough to anchor its appearance to the plant. Today, P. and where you can find them. weak neck, but not so deep that the Vaughans Seed Co. (Wholesale only) sinensis can be found in a wide color crown rots. Any tendency to topple can 5300 Katrine Ave range, from white, yellow and orange PRIMULA MALACOIDES be alleviated by staking. Downers Grove, 111 60515 through the pink, red and purple shades. Dsehnfeldt Inc. has done some of the A word of caution to those with Tel: (630)969-6300 Named cultivars include 'Pink Beauty', sensitive skin: Richards claims P. latest work on P. malacoides hybrids. Primula malacoides mix and individual the orange-scarlet 'Dazzler', orange Their 'Prima' Fl series has large dense sinensis is even more allergenic than P. colors of red, white, carmine rose, light 'Cardinal', and 'Royal Blue' with fringed flower heads, a compact and uniform obconica \r seeing P. sinensis on the show rose, and lilac; P. obconica 'Juno', petals. These are all single flowered, but plant habit, and comes in bright colors 'Libre', and 'Prino'. some doubles and semi-doubles do occur. bench, I deeply regret not ordering seed and a recently introduced Pastel Mixture. The flowers may be picoteed, eyeless, Carter Seeds when it was available. Perhaps Mrs. toothed, frilled or star-shaped. Even the 475 Mar Vista Drive Sinnott will save seed and donate it to PRIMULA OBCONICA growth habit is varied, with dwarf and Vista, CA 92038 the Exchange next year. Please! To help primula growers avoid giant forms, deeply cut foliage and Tel: (800)872-7711 possible skin irritations caused by the crested foliage. Primula obconica 'Juno' mix; will do primin in P. obconica, Goldsmith Seeds, Seed planted in the spring should SOURCES: seed searches. Inc., has developed their 'Libre' mix, a give good growth by fall, providing the Clapham, Sidney (1972). Primulas. primin-free hybrid that is early to bloom Stokes Seeds seedlings have been adequately watered A.S. Barnes & Co., New York. and has a good basal branching habit. It Box 548 and fertilized. Since these are not hardy Halda, Josef (1992). The Genus is available in five colors and a mixture. Buffalo, NY 14240-0548 plants, they should be kept in a cool Primula in Cultivation and the Wild. S & G, a Dutch seed company, Tel: (716)695-6980 greenhouse at temperatures of 50 to Tethys Books, Denver, CO. offers a 'Juno Series' hybrid, an early Primula malacoides formula mixture; P. 55°F, where they begin to flower in Richards, A. J. (1993). Primula. and compact grower (but not primin- obconica 'Libre' mix. midwinter. Because it is not particular Batsford, Ltd., London, fc free). Thompson & Morgan POBox 1308 PRIMULA SINENSIS Jackson, NJ 08527-0308 American Primrose Society Seed Exchange Only one variety of P. sinensis was Tel: (800) 274-7333 offered in seed catalogues, 'Fanfare Primula malacoides 'Bright Eyes Mixed' Pat Wilson of Juneau, Alaska, is the new Seed Exchange Coordinator. Gather and Hybrids' developed by Dcehnfeldt Inc., P. obconica 'Blue Agate, 'Juno Series' save seeds, clean them and pack them, then send them off by October 31 to: and unfortunately, most catalogs have hybrids. i!r Pat Wilson discontinued the offering. I could find no A.P.S. Seed Exchange Coordinator ..... source, other than the APS Seed Ex- 9621 Kelly Ct. p change. Juneau, Alaska 99801 USA I ' •--• " 16 American Primrose Society - Summer 1997 American Primrose Society - Summer 1997 17 Obconica — The Little Primula The Glory Days of Summer By Claire Cockcroft, Redmond, Washington That Could! In the midst of spring primrose ranging from the dark scarlet of 'Miller's by Larry A. Bailey, Sacramento, California shows, when double acaulis hybrids bury Crimson' to the white (with a yellow themselves in blossoms and each eye) of 'Postford's White'. The foliage Mark Twain, who resented the Photo by Larry A. Bailey auricula flower that opens is more exotic of P. japonica resembles leaf lettuce, Sacramento Valley's heat in the summer, than the previous one, I can understand and the leaves may droop pitifully in once told a tale about a man who was why many think of primroses as just a beds exposed to the hot afternoon sun. raised in Sacramento, lived a hard life spring flower. But there's another These poorly situated plants may also and when he died, was sent to hell. It primrose season that is overlooked at collapse from crown rot if they are wasn't long before he requested a your peril — the glory days of summer, crowded and the weather is especially sweater! of gaudy candelabras and magnificently wet and warm. Prompt and frequent Last summer was no exception — colored bells. division seems to minimize losses in truth be known, it was the hottest The candelabra season starts in late such settings. Primula japonica per- summer ever recorded. Temperatures spring in my garden with Primula forms much more splendidly in the cool climbed to 112°F and kept going! If a chungensis. Perched on a shorter flower shade, where its flowers last and last. person forgot to water the outdoors stalk than some of the later giants, the The only drawback I have encountered potted plants twice a day, they were soon Primula obconica is tougher than it looks, pale orange flowers of P. chungensis part of the 'golden landscape'. The surviving with little care in hot, dry Sacramento. give you a preview of the riotous colors summer's extremely dry, hot climate to come. They are quickly followed by contrasts sharply with the very damp, bloom with healthy, bright, deep green those of P. japonica, in mixed colors cold temperatures of the bleak, foggy leaves. When I asked a tenant (who had winter months. Temperatures can drop lived in the units the longest) who to mid 20°F. This past winter it rained, planted the primroses that year, the and rained, and rained. In the foothills response I got shocked me: "Oh those", just east of Sacramento record rainfalls pointing to the little box, "they have of 50 inches in a week's time produced been there ever since I have lived here massive flooding in California's valleys. — what did you call them?" Now here is where this story takes "How often do you have to water on a tale about a little, wooden container them to keep them growing so well?" I full of Primula obconica. asked. I moved back to Sacramento two "Whenever someone remembers to", years ago (I was raised in the Sacra- she responded, "many times they dry out mento Valley but spent the past 27 years completely." enjoying the cool temperate climate of That summer, from time to time, I western Washington state) to open a checked in on the little box of primroses. bookstore and take care of some ne- Sure enough, they only got water glected rental property. After moving occasionally by one of the tenants, and back in March, while cleaning up the many times I found the container dry. back yard of one of the four-plexes, I But the next spring, they were back in noticed a small wooden container that full bloom. had both P. obconica and the common P. vulgaris hybrids. They were in full Clockwise from the top: Primulapulverulenta'Bartley's Strain', P. pulverulenta, P. cockburniana, P. Continued on page 19 japonica'Postford's White', P. japonica'N\\\\w's Crimson', Rx bullesiana, P. helodoxa, P. secundiflora. 18 American Primrose Society - Summer 1997 American Primrose Society - Summer 1997 19

with P. japonica is how easily it self- Rainbows of color are provided by shade bloom reliably, and P. florindae Finally I come to the last of the sows throughout my garden, even when I the mid-season blooms of P. x bullesiana fills my backyard with a heavenly summer bloomers in my garden, P. think I've deadheaded early and thor- candelabra hybrids. Colors in my garden fragrance. Like P. japonica, P. florindae capitata, profiled in the Spring 1997 oughly! include salmon pink, apricot, purple, is a prodigious seeder. issue of Primroses. Labeled 'Bhutan More tolerant of the sun (or at least gold, orange, and rose, all with a dark While not quite a bell, P, vialii form', my plants have a dense white not as susceptible to rot and wilting) is P. gold eye. Primula bulleyana joins its definitely sounds a loud gong, with its farina along the stems and flower heads. pulverulenta, whose 36" flower stalks are hybrids, with deep crimson flower buds red, poker-shaped buds riding atop tiny, Primula capitata has the annoying habit coated with a silvery white powder. opening to a deep orange. All of these overlapping blue-violet stars. Primula of sloughing off its roots in late summer 'Bartley Strain' has soft pink flowers candelabra are planted in fairly dry vialii grows in shade in what was before it sends out its fall-growing roots with a yellow eye, while the species has shade in my backyard, but perform well described as "mounding soil" that I in earnest. Because of this, it is easy to dark crimson flowers with an even despite their less than lush location. bought for a raised bed. The soil is in lose a plant or two in the fall, unless I darker eye. Last but not least of the candelabras fact a very moist clay, to which I've remember to tamp the plants down Lacking in stature but compensating is P, anisodora, which blooms in added a lot of compost. After acciden- firmly into the mulch. with blazing color is P. cockburniana, efarinose tiers like the candelabras but tally digging up several dormant P. vialii I hope that this "cook's tour" of my with its brilliant orange whorls of has small maroon or dark red belis with a crowns last winter, I divided them, a task summer garden will inspire you to flowers held on white, farina-coated startling yellow ring around the eye. I'll I had been avoiding. The plants came up explore the primrose family beyond stems. Planted next to a purple-leafed admit that I didn't fully appreciate P. a little later than usual in spring but are those marvelous spring bloomers. The blue corydalis, it looks especially gaudy. anisodora when I first started growing it now blooming exuberantly. choices are many and diverse. And I started with two pots of plants that I — after all, its slender flower stalks were gosh, did I mention Primula flaccida! divided in the fall into two dozen short and not too showy next to heftier, P. waltonitf and ...? tir crowns. Over winter these crowns brassier candelabras. But its value grew disappeared without a trace, and I was as its bloom season stretched through the convinced that I'd killed them all. summer and all the way to first frost! Needless to say, I was delighted (and Primrose bells toll all summer long, relieved) when every crown grew and with P. secundiflora leading the concert. bloomed, some sporting a half dozen A little touchier than the candelabras or Obconka - The Little Primula That Could! flower stalks. maybe just not as robust, P. secundiflora continued from page 16 Starting its bloom at the same time nevertheless lives up to its name, often as P. japonica, P. pulverulenta, and P. providing a second flush of deep crimson This past summer was the test of all A couple of weeks ago, around the cockburniana, but outlasting them all, is bells on silver stalks in late summer. tests for any plants in containers in first of March, one of the new tenants P. helodoxa (also called P. prolifera}. It More bells appear as P. alpicola Sacramento, especially the little box of stopped by the store and asked who is the tallest candelabra in my garden, finally emerges to send up graceful primroses. The tenant who had occa- planted the "flowers" in the little with flower stalks eventually standing stalks of powdery bells. Like P. sionally watered them had moved. The wooden container in back of the units? over 50" tall, and displays tier after tier cockburniana, P. alpicola disappears little container sat there all summer The little wooden container with P. of golden yellow, slightly fragrant without a trace in winter, but is much without hardly any water and many obconica was in bloom again! There flowers. From April to late July a patch slower to sprout in the spring. Three times I found the container bone dry — was no sign of the primrose hybrids, but of P. helodoxa lights up the entry of my color forms are available, and the only no one was taking care of them. I didn't P. obconica was showing the world that house, first contrasting with white demerits that P. alpicola earns is that the water as I had thought that the plants had gardeners had indeed ignored a drought rhododendrons, then dark pink azaleas, slugs and earwigs love to snack on its surely died from the dryness, heat, and tolerant primrose. and finally dark purple clematis. The flowers! neglect. Although the container is partly So this little tale of the little wooden only puzzle I've had with P. helodoxa Other latecomers are P. florindae shaded'for much of the day and the box of primroses comes to an end. I was when to divide it, since its foliage and P. sikkimensis. The yellow or container is lined with black plastic, the don't know what happened to the P. remains evergreen. I tried division in orange bells of P. florindae are heavily leaves had dried to a crisp as if baked in vulgaris, but I would expect that wher- early spring and lost no plants, so I now coated with farina and grow on two to an oven. ever they are, they are having to send stick to that regimen. three foot stems. Even plants in heavy home for a sweater! Of 20 American Primrose Society - Summer 1997 American Primrose Society - Summer 1997 21

Around the Shows, 1997 1997 National Primrose Trophy Winners By Maedythe Martin, Victoria, British Columbia Award Exhibitor Category The Vancouver Island Rock and near Mount Everest. The owner, Riba Ivanel Agee Trophy Rosetta Jones Best Hybrid Julie Alpine Garden Show (VIRAGS), held Wingert, grew the primula from seed. A soft yellow Juliana hybrid, 'Dorothy' April 4 and 5, was early in a cold season. The leaves are fascinating, much rounder Frank Michaud Trophy Rosetta Jones Best Named Show Auricula But some primula treasures appeared than most primula leaves. Ellen Page Hayden Trophy Rosetta Jones Best Double Auricula nonetheless. It seemed to be the right The American Primrose Society An amber colored, fully double, one stalk auricula true to its name, 'Amber' year for Julianas (Primula x National Show, held in Tacoma at the Mary Zack Trophy April Boettger Best Show Self Auricula pruhoniciana). A huge pot of the Pacific Lakewood Mall, provided some real True yellow auricula named 'Gleam' Northwest cultivar 'Jay-Jay' was a treats for the primula fancier. The pride Wesley Bottoms Trophy Cy Happy Best Hose-in-Hose magnificent display. The plant, lifted of place was Dan Pederson's auricula Full white flowered plant, with back 'petals' well separated from the garden by its owner, Atholl theater. Three shelves high and framed Captain Hawkes Trophy John Kerridge Best Gold Lace Polyanthus Sutherland-Brown, had grown into a as though it were a picture, the theater large patch from just a small piece given recalled the 19th century stage for the by another VIRAGS member. This display of treasured show auriculas. 1997Tacoma ChapterWinners wonderful display quite rightly got a first A wider range of plants was exhib- Award Exhibitor Category prize in its class. ited at the National Show as the season Ernest Winter Trophy Rosetta Jones Best Acaulis Julianas included 'Dorothy', had moved on a few weeks, and now the Red acaulis, a full rounded plant 'Schneekissen', the reliable, floriferous Vernales in their various forms could be Washington Hardware Trophy Thea Oakley Best Polyanthus 'Wanda', 'Lady Greer' and Herb seen in bloom. Floyd Keller Trophy Rosetta Jones Best Jack-in-the-Green Dickson's white 'Little Stray'. Along The small but elegant P. sinensis Red Juliana l Jay-Jay' cross with its many hybrids, the wild species, grown by Nina Sinnott held bright Rosa Peterson Trophy April Boettger Best Show Self Auricula P. juliae, was displayed. Information magenta-pink flowers above coppery, cards told how the wild species, col- fuzzy leaves — a delightful plant, not Other Bests lected in the Caucasus in April, 1900, by often seen. Nina had grown this one Madame Julia Ludovikovna from seed. Award Exhibitor Mlokossjewicz, led to the myriad Best Acaulis Cy Happy hybrids in the 1940s and 1950s, some of Continued on page 22 His creamy yellow named 'Emily' which are still with us. Best Double Acaulis John Kerridge The best polyanthus was a large Photo by Claire Cockcroft 'Blue Sapphire' plant of a glowing red Cowichan Best Brightest Garden Auricula April Boettger hybrid, grown by Atholl Sutherland- Bright, deep yellow with a white eye Brown in the section of his garden that Best European Species April Boettger seems to suit primulas very well. A Small yellow Primula vulgaris delicate plant of Primula rotundifolia, Best Asian Species Thea Oakley rarely seen at shows, took the trophy Red Primula denticulata for best primula. This treasure is Best Non-Hardy Species Thea Oakley found in the wild in the central Primula malacoides Himalayas, in the wettest area, and Best Seedling Nina Sinnott Unusual bronze foliage with cerise flowers on Primula sinensis Rosetta Jones' newest double auricula Best Novice Claire Cockcroft hybrid, 'Amber', Best Plant in Show at Juliana 'Dorothy' and a fuschia colored Jack-in-the-Green Juliana the APS National Show in Tacoma. 22 American Primrose Society - Summer 1997 American Primrose Society - Summer 1997

Around the Shows, 1997 continued strains of auriculas and P. x pubescens hybrids and each was represented. It The semi-double white P, \ grown by Cy Happy was an Oregon Primrose Society was fascinating to compare original plants with their offspring. unusual sight. A yellow self show A number of forms of P. veris and Valley Hi Show, 1997 'Gleam' exhibited the fine lines of a its hybrids were admired. The Cowichan By Ann Lunn, HHIsboro, Oregon good show auricula. Rosetta Jone's strains of polyanthus glowed in shades of admirable — well, really, envy-produc- In lieu of the traditional judged The portion of the display set aside wine-red, deep raspberry red and a ing — double auriculas could be seen in Primrose Show, Oregon Primrose for The Shady Border was full of P. x lovely deep blue exhibited by Ruby her newest hybrid 'Amber', a fully Society and Valley Hi Chapter collabo- Juliana hybrids in full bloom. Visitors Chong. double camellia-like flower of golden rated to present a primrose display and were able to see the wide variety of The unique color of the Garryard yellow. The heavy head of more than plant sale on April 19 and 20, 1997. named forms and compare them to the primroses, but in a Jack-in-the-Green eight flowers was well supported on a Titled "A Primula for Every Garden", 'Wanda Hybrids'. Several good double form, was found in a new seedling grown sturdy stem. This auricula got the Best the show featured over 70 plants, acaulis, including 'Miss Indigo', 'Dawn by John Kerridge from seed ";f English Plant In Show award. planters, and flower arrangements Ansell', 'Sunshine Susie' and 'Quaker's grower and hybridizer, Peter Ward. A Claire Cockcroft displayed other organized according to the place each Bonnet' showed the wide range of colors true acaulis, each double flower with its skills than editing with her exhibits of might be used in the garden. that are available. green ruff of leaves was supported by a the Juliana hybrids 'Dorothy'and a Jack- Members of the Auricula and The Indoor Gardening table included single stem of glowing red. The leaves in-the-Green, winning Best Novice Aleuritia Sections featured prominently three color variations of P. obconica had the bronzy/red tinge of the Garryard. award. in the Rock Garden category. Together "Juno Series" and some marvelous The B.C. Primrose Group had a The Alpine Garden Club of British with several garden auriculas, there were flower arrangements featuring primulas. colorful display, with plants of many Columbia (AGCBC) show in Vancouver examples of show auriculas, marginatas, The latter were done by Dorothy varieties of primula and auricula brought held April 26 was at the peak of the double auriculas and species. Primula Macfarlane. in by members. Rosetta Jones appeared primrose season and the benches of farinosa, P. modesta alba and P. The Companion Plant section was with several of her wonderful double primulas were crowded with a truly frondosa completed the display. Many dominated by Lewisia cotyledon hybrids auriculas including the newest, 'Cinna- colorful display. A wide array of P. \ hybrids were staged by Thea visitors commented on the fragrance of in a variety of colors, L. tweedyi in both bar', a glowing red/burnt sienna color the garden auriculas. salmon and white forms, and with a touch of gold. Foster of North Vancouver. A fine pan Primula veris, P, kisoana alba and Dodecatheon pulchellum. The number of primrose plants and of collected wild auriculas from the P. sieboldii took up much of the space in A photographic display of primulas exhibitors continues to grow in the Swiss mountains, still grown by Thea the Woodland Garden display. An eight- and an information table completed the Pacific Northwest, and you can never tell some twenty years later, merited admira- inch pot of purple P. sieboldii could exhibit. Addaline Robinson, APS when a rarity will appeal', so keep tion. Thea has developed a number of have been sold many times over. 'Early Treasurer, was kept busy answering looking.

NEW ADDRESS FOR A.P.S. SEED EXCHANGE! Pat Wilson A.P.S. Seed Exchange Coordinator 9621 Kelly Ct. Juneau, Alaska 99801 USA 24 American Primrose Society - Summer 1997 American Primrose Society - Summer 1997 Journal Report News from the Chapters By Mary Frey, Kent, Washington A summary of chapter meetings ADVENTURES IN JAPAN THE CHUKCHI PRIMROSE ALASKA CHAPTER WASHINGTON Paul Held, founder of the American Fording near-freezing water and Pat Wilson reports: There is a new Washington State Chapter Sakurasoh Association and APS mem- keeping watch over a pair of grizzly reporter from our group. Her name is Meets the second Friday of each ber, writes about his adventures in bears, Roger Facer searched for the Roxanne Bash, and I'm sure she'll do a month, except July and August, at the Urawa, Japan, in the Winter 1997 Rock Chukchi Primrose, Primula wonderful job. [Ed. note: Pat has taken United Good Neighbor Center at 305 S Garden Quarterly of the North tschuktschorum, and relates his adven- on the job ofA.P.S. Seed Exchange 43rd Street, Renton, (across the street American Rock Garden Society. tures in the March 1997 Quarterly Chairman. We thank her for all her hard from Valley General Hospital) at 7:45 Primula sieboldii is named sakurasoh Bulletin of the Alpine Garden Society. work as regional reporter and wish her p.m. Guests are welcome. Contact by the Japanese because the bloom is Facer and his companions trekked good luck in her new job. And welcome, Rosetta Jones, chapter president, for similar to a cherry blossom or sakura through Alaska's Denali National Park, Roxanne!] details. and yet it is an herb or soh. Held ascending Mount Galen to 4575 feet, Our winter up here was just terrible. Eastside Chapter discovers that this primrose is "a part of where they located their treasure in a We've all lost huge quantities of prim- Meets the first Monday of every the very nature and culture of its boggy basin. This Nivalis species grows roses, some people up to 90%. Things month at 6:30 pm at the Kirkland people." During his visit to Urawa, he to four inches with one-sided umbels of are so slow this year, and I'm trying to Firestation #22, 6602 - 108th Ave. NE, spots sakurasoh images on stairwells, three or four purple-red blooms, each be patient when I go into the garden, but Kirkland, Washington. buses, bricks, gates, clothes, manholes with a yellow-rimmed eye. It is named I know I've lost a lot. I saw Misty At the May meeting, Beth Tait and posters. ,He even participates in a after the Chukchi tribe living around the Hafner the other day and she had lost talked about Candelabra primroses. sakurasoh festival and visits the Wild Chukchi Peninsula, at the northern end most of her primroses, too. I guess that's Thea Oakley demonstrated how to prick Primula Preserve, which is set aside for of the Bering Strait on the eastern tip of gardening! out and transplant primula seedlings and the sakurasoh and other Japanese Siberia. Primula tschuktschorum grows There was an article in the paper showed slides of the A.P.S. National natives. on the extreme east of Siberia and in today about what a disastrous winter it Show, and the chapter held a plant Paul Held's commitment is to western and south-central Alaska. was for certain plants, including prim- auction. introduce people to P. sieboldii and its Growing in the Chukchi Primrose colony roses. Bulbs were also hit hard. The In June, Beth told the chapter about many cultivars. Even though varying were plants such as Corydalis pauciflora, university lost 30,000 bulb plants. The Primula florindae, then Thea demon- petal colors and shapes have led to Caltha palustris subsp. artica, campus isn't very far from where we strated how to divide primroses and hundreds of different sakurasoh variet- Dodecatheon frigidum and Ranunculus live, and I lost all of mine as well. Some showed slides of the Alpine Garden Club ies, Held has only registered 22 selec- nivalis. types of plants were hard hit, but the of British Columbia show. The July tions with the American Sakurasoh rhododendrons, azaleas, and lilacs, in chapter meeting will be a picnic. Association, with forty more in the A PASSION FOR PLANTS particular, are spectacular this year. queue. The article includes many The May 1997 issue of Gardens Seattle Chapter splendid photos showing the diverse Illustrated profiles Sonia Wright's PENNSYLVANIA Meets four times a year. Contact nature of this Asian beauty. nursery, The Old Vineyard, located in Doretta Klaber Chapter June Skidmore, chapter president, for Another APS member, Carole P. Wiltshire, England. Sonia specializes in Meets four times a year. Contact details. Smith, writes about her expedition to The chapter's Summer meeting will Barnhaven primulas and other wonderful Dot Plyler, chapter president, for details. be a picnic and potluck at Fred Graff's Japan in the same NARGS bulletin. Her plants. Sonia took an interest in plants The chapter had a small table at house on Sunday, August 3, 1997. exhausting visit takes her to many when she was young, becoming a Longwood Gardens on May 3rd, and nurseries and gardens including the Wild member of The Royal Horticultural recruited two new members! The June Tacoma Chapter Primula Preserve in Urawa City. Society at the age of 12. She started meeting was a picnic, plant sale, and Meets the first Tuesday of each visit to Dick Van Duzer's garden in month, except July and August, in the Continued on page 27 Pipersville, a special treat for all. Fireside Room of the First United 26 American Primrose Society - Summer 1997 American Primrose Society - Summer 1997 27

Methodist Church, 1919 West Pioneer, OREGON date members of the Vancouver Chry- Puyallup, at 7:30 p.m. Oregon Primrose Society santhemum Society, who were also In Memorium: Lyle Heller Congratulations are in order for a Meets the third Friday of every holding a sale of their plants further job well done by the Tacoma Chapter, month from September through May at 1 along the walkway. (1923-1997) staging the 1997 APS National Show. p.m. at the Milwaukie Community Club, It was fortunate that we had moved Lyle Heller, a member of both Although the number of show plants was 42nd and Jackson Sts., Milwaukie, OR. from Southlands Nursery, where our the Washington State and Eastside less than in previous years — 157 plants Contact Thelma Genheimer, chapter sale was held on prior years, as it Chapters of the Amercian Primrose benched from 17 growers — there was president, for details. poured with rain on Saturday and we Society, passed away in May. Ly!e, a still a good representation on all tables in would have drowned. As it was, we had World War II veteran, was buried Valley Hi Chapter all sections. our biggest sale ever, and April with full military honors in Mount Meets the second Monday of the Due to an untimely accident, Louise Boettger, who brought up a truck full of Vernon, Washington. month from September through Novem- Fenili, show trophy award chairman and plants, had only a half dozen P. Lyle and his wife, Darlene, ber and February through May at 1 p.m. one of the chapter's most faithful 'Wanda' left at the close on Sunday. started Wayside Nursery in Conway, at Thelma Genheimer's house, 7100 SW workers, was unable to attend the show We would like to thank several Washington, where they grew 209th, Beaverton, OR. Contact Thelma — we missed her! Best in Class awards other members who came to support the primroses under the apple trees. He for details. were etched plates and cups engraved event. They were Thea and Harold was a strong supporter of the APS with a primrose motif. Oakley, Rosetta Jones, Cheryl and National and Chapter Shows, always Award certificates were presented to BRITISH COLUMBIA Rhein Fluck, Don and Mary Keefe, bringing plants — mostly primroses the winners at the Annual Meeting and BC Primrose Group Herb Dickson, and Maedythe Martin. — for show and sale. Banquet, where attendees dined at tables Meets at the South Arm United [Ed. note: and the Editor!] A dozen of After suffering a stroke earlier decorated by,chapter members. The Church at No.3 Road and Steveston us shared a meal and fellowship at a this year, Lyle surprised the Eastside Guest of Honor at the banquet was Highway. Contact John Kerridge for Richmond restaurant on the Saturday Chapter by being well enough to Dorothy Springer, who has been a very details. evening, and a good time was had by attend their May meeting, Everyone active member of the APS both nation- The BC Primula Group held its all. ft was so glad to see him, making it ally and locally for many years. The spring show and sale April 19 and 20 at especially hard to say goodbye to a featured speaker was Cy Happy III, who Van Dusen Gardens, in conjunction with friend and primula grower. He will gave a fine slide show and narration on the Alpine Garden Society Show. Our be missed by many. "Primulas in General". The chapter was members prepared a much admired — Thea Oakley ft especially pleased that there were many exhibition table with many named members attending from both Alaska and varieties of auriculas and Primula Canada. vulgaris, along with other species. At the May chapter meeting, the In the A.G.S. Show competition members took advantage of the good almost all the entries were made by our weather and visited Dan Pederson's own members, and an extra row of tables garden. Dan grows both primulas and had to be set up to accommodate all the JournalReport lewisias to perfection. Highlights of entries. A nice plant of P. reidii won the Continued from page 24 Dan's garden included a magnificent trophy for Best Primula. Cy Happy III Lewisia tweedyi, two feet in diameter was the judge for the Primula Section. designing gardens in the late 1980s but thus the idea of operating a nursery. The and in full bloom, and Primula reidii The sale took place on the walkway found that she needed to propagate her piece features many photos of Sonia's growing under a fir tree in his front outside the Floral Hall, and although plants to have the rare flowers required plants including Primula vulgaris garden. The June chapter meeting was a selling was not supposed to begin before for her projects. This, of course, led to 'Viridis', P. x polyanthus 'Victorian slide presentation from the APS Slide the show opened at noon, permission more plants than she really needed and Barnhaven' and P. auricula 'Barnhaven'. Library. was given to start earlier to accommo- E-mail address: [email protected] ft 28 American Primrose Society - Summer 1997 American Primrose Society - Summer 1997 29 Plant Societies That Ugly Ditch By John Kerridge, Vancouver, British Columbia National Auricula and Primula Society HOW TO MAKE SOMETHING FROM Invites all auricula and primula lovers to join in this old society. Membership includes yearbook. NOTHING Northern Section It was dug to drain away a spring D.G. Hadfield that interfered with laying foundations 146 Queens Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle, Cheshire, England. for my home, and it was an eyesore. Midland and West Section Peter Ward What to do? Why, use primroses, of 6 Lawson Close, Saltford, Bristol, England BS18 1BG. course! Candelabras love the moisture Southern Section and coolness. In winter they disappear Lawrence E. Wigley under the stream but burst up each 67 Warnham Court Road, Carshalton Beeches, Surrey, England SM5 3ND. spring. A gunnera forms a small dam to keep moisture back in summer, while in winter it is dormant and shrinks down to The New Zealand Alpine Garden Society allow more flow. The candelabras are invites you to join other overseas members enjoying the 'Ceperley Strain' hybrids of Primula benefits of our Society. Two informative Bulletins each bulleyana, and they are self-seeding way year and an extensive NZ native section in our seed list downstream now. enhance the contact with New Zealand alpine plant lovers. This picture was taken with Enquiries to the Membership Secretary or join by sending Ektachrome ASA 100 film in low the equivalent of NZ$25 payable to NZAGS (Inc.). evening light using a tripod, a one Visa/Mastercard facilities available. second exposure at F22. tf New Zealand Alpine Garden Society, PO Box 2984, Christchurch, New Zealand.

American Primrose Society Bookstore Primula, by John Richards — $40 US (new price) New for 1997! The Genus Primula, by Josef Halda — $20 US Florists' Flowers and Societies, by Dr. Ruth Duthie — $ 9.00 US Periodically, our librarian obtains older, used books. For a list of what is The Barnhaven Book, by Angela Bradford — $12.00 US currently available, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to her. Address your Society Guides from the National Auricula and Primula Society, Midland and orders and inquiries to: West Section (Great Britain) Thea Oakley, American Primrose Society Librarian #1 Show Auriculas, by Peter Ward, revised 1997 — $4.00 US 3304 288th Ave. NE #3 Alpine Auriculas, by Derek Telford — $2.00 US Redmond, WA 98053 USA #4 A Classified List of Alpine Auriculas, by Ed Pickin — $3.25 US Thea's E-mail address: [email protected] #5 Auricula History, by David Tarver — $3.50 US Orders must be prepaid in US dollars by check on a US bank or by international #6 Stripped Auriculas, by Allan Hawkes — $2.00 US money, order, made out to Thea Oakley, A.P.S. Librarian. Postage and handling: #7 Border Auriculas, by Geoff Nicole — $3.00 US in the US add $3 for the first book and $1.50 for each additional book, or outside the Shipping for a full set of all society guides $3.00 in the US, $5.00 outside the US add $5 for the first book and $2.50 for each additional book. US. 30 American Primrose Society - Summer American Primrose Society - Summer 1997 31

Officers of the Chapters APS GARDEN AURICULA PHOTO CONTEST! Alaska Group Washington State Chapter Contact Mrs. Lee Sander President, Rosetta Jones 3311 Foster Ave. E. 170 Dunoon PL A generous friend of the A.P.S. would like to sponsor a full color edition of Juneau, AK 99801 Shelton, WA 98584 Primroses featuring Garden Auriculas, and what better way to get pictures Doretta Klaber Chapter Tel: (360)426-7913 than a photo contest! The photos must be in color, and may be slides, prints, President, Dot Plyler Seattle Chapter 18 Bridle Path President, June Skidmore or on PhotoCD™. Photos must depict Primula auricula species and/or Chadds Ford, PA 19317 6730 W. Mercer Way hybrids growing in the garden (not in pots), and may feature single plants or Tel: (610)459-3969 Mercer Island, WA 98040 Oregon Primrose Society Tel: (206) 232-5766 groups of plants. $5 will be awarded for each photo accepted for publication. President, Thelma Genheimer Eastside Chapter First, second, and third place cash prizes will also be awarded. 7100 SW 209th Ave. President, Thea Oakley Beaverton, OR 97007 3304 288th Ave. NE Prizes: Tel: (503) 649-3537 Redmond, WA 98053 Send your photos to: Valley Hi Chapter Tel: (425) 880-6177 1st Prize $25 Claire Cockcroft President, Orval Agee British Columbia Primrose Group 2nd Prize $20 A.P.S. Editor 11112SE Wood Ave. President, John Kerridge Milwaukie, OR 97222 4660 10th Ave. W. #1102 3rd Prize $15 4805-228th Avenue NE Tacoma Chapter Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6R 2J6 $5 for each photo accepted Redmond, WA 98053-8327 President, Dan Pederson Tel: (604) 224-7813 for publication 761448th Ave. E. USA Tacoma, WA 98443 Proposed publication date: Spring, 1998. All prizes will be awarded. All photos will be Tel: (253)531-4367 returned, but the A.P.S. retains reprinting rights at no additional fee. Outstanding MT.TAHOMA NURSERY Results! APS COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN EDITOR QUARTERLY LIBRARIAN LIBRARIAN Claire Cockcroft Cheryl Fluck Thea Oakley 4805-228th Ave. N.E. 17275 Point Lena Loop Rd. 3304-288th Ave. N.E. Redmond, WA 98053 Jtineau.AK 99801 Redmond, WA 98053 WE OFFER A LARGE SELECTION OF Tel: (425) 868-6788 Tel: (907) 789-0595 Tel: (425)880-6177 NAMED CULTIVARS OF PRIMULA E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] SHOW JUDGES AURICULA, P. ALLIONII, & P. ALLIONII ROUND ROBIN Rosetla Jones SLIDE LIBRARIAN HYBRIDS AS WELL AS MANY SPECIES Edward Davis E 170 Dunoon Place Bridgie Graham-Smith 226 S. High Street Shelton, WA 98584 24 Westlake Si. SW PRIMULAS, JULIANA HYBRIDS, & ffillsboro, OH 45133 Tel: {360426-7913 Tacoma, WA 98498 MUCH MORE! E-mail: [email protected] SEED EXCHANGE Pat Wilson 9621 Kelly Ct. APS HOME PAGE RICK LUPP (253) 847-9827 Juneau, AK 99801 http://www.eskimo.coni/~mcalpin/aps.html MAIL ORDER IN U.S.A. ONLY BACK COVER PHOTOS OPEN FOR VISITORS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Dcetmfeldt's Primula sinensis 'Fanfare Hybrids' (top) and Goldsmith's P. obconica Send $1.00 for Plant List 'Libre' (bottom) — Photos courtesy of Dcchnfeldt Inc. and Goldsmith Seeds, Inc. 28111 - 112th Avenue E. Look for our new 3.5-lb size water solubles and The manuscript for this American Primrose Society quarterly was prepared and submitted to Eagle Press in electronic form Graham, Washington 98338 the new Schuitz* Super Sprayer* Uwn & Garden Feeder with an Intel® Pentium® PI00 PC. Text files were processed and edited using Calera® WordScan™ and Microsoft® Word Also try: Bloom Plus * Acid Plus for Windows®; manuscript composition used Adobe® Pagemaker® and Photoshop® and CorelDRAW®. Lawn Food Plus • Rose Pius •Tomato Plus For permission to reprint any part of Primroses, please contact the editor. SOCIETPRIMROSYE . FOUNDED 1941 Primroses Volume 55, No. 3 Summer 1997