I am falling ever further behind with my list of posts to write, which on balance is a lot better than having nothing to say for myself. My last visit to Sissinghurst remains in draft, as does a report on the Cornwall Spring Flower Show. This week we’ve been to Tresco in the Isles of Scilly, taking in the fabulous Abbey Gardens and the island’s unique wildlife. I’ve also returned to see the superb woodland garden at Bosvigo at the height of its glories. All this whilst staying at Trevoole, which is fabulously photogenic as always.
Trevoole’s auriculas (Primula auricula) spend their year unmolested and unpampered, displayed in a purpose-built outdoor auricula theatre. They are not A list stars, their names long forgotten, but they are troupers, performing year after year with no fuss or demanding riders. The flowers, sometimes dusted with a fine ‘farina’ (as in the photograph below), come in a profusion of colours from rusty brown to royal purple, with every shade and combination in between.
To cultivate the perfect specimen, The National Auricula and Primula Society recommend protecting plants from rain in winter and taking care, when watering in spring and summer, not to splash the leaves. Auriculas grow best when potted in four parts John Innes No.2 to two parts horticultural grit in three to four-inch pots. A top dressing of the same grit discourages vine weevils, and a good feed in early spring with a high-potash fertiliser will set auriculas up for the year. Ideally plants should be protected from bright sunlight through the summer months. I am not sure Trevoole’s auriculas receive any such cosseting, demonstrating the rich rewards that can be achieved for minimal fuss.
What name would you give my unknown auricula?
Categories: alpines, Container gardening, Cornish Gardens, Flowers, Plants
We have just bought a job lot of unnamed auriculas, they are great little flowers aren’t they. Looking forward to reading all the posts in the pipeline. As for a name for this one well how about Trevoole’s Triumph?
Like it! Do you have a theatre to show them in, or is that going to be the next job after the canons are commissioned?
Ha! Well we have quite a lot of old terracotta pots about, so I am in the process of potting them on into them. And we also have an old ladder which I thought we could display them on. This is an idea I am copying from Sue at From Sewing Room to Potting Shed!
Lovely. I am feeling a little left out of the auricula gang, so am sitting on the train contemplating where I might squeeze a few pots in. Fatal!
I am having a mini ‘craze’ on auriculas at the moment and have just bought 10 different alpine cultivars from Wootons for my garden at home. So far, so good. They are all flourishing in their new home and some have even started to flower. Helen
Good luck! I am very taken with auriculas after seeing them growing at Trevoole. They seem pretty tolerant and the flowers are so intricate and pretty. I hope they do well for you Helen. Promise to finish my Sissinghurst post soon 😉
I love Auriculas. Every year I decide I haven’t got enough but I find the lovely show Auriculas quite tricky.
This one looks great with the rusty pipe.
Do you have any recommendations for a complete amateur? Any varieties that do well for you?
I am in love with your newest treasure! I’m especially taken with the striped Auricula. Right now I am busy digging and potting as many as I can to enter in the New England Chapter of the American Primrose Society show in a couple of weeks. I’m looking forward to your upcoming posts!
Thank you and best of luck with show!
I have a small collection so far but can see it will become an obsession. . .. .. Rhubarb and custard woul be my suggestion for the mystery plant.
They are rather collectable aren’t they Elaine? Such delicious colours and flower forms. Thank you for the ID, you clearly know your auriculas!