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Siebold's Primrose
Primula Sieboldi.
SIEBOLD'S PRIMROSE is nearly related to the cortusa-like primrose, the best form of which is that named amoena. The plant before us differs from that in many particulars, the creeping root being one of some importance, while the differences in leaf and flower, and the characters of the seed-vessel and the seeds, go far to justify the separation of P. Sieboldi as a species. It is a plant of great value for its showy character, its hardiness, early flowering, and pliant constitution, for it needs no special care in cultivation, but in common with primulas generally requires a deep, moist, rich soil, a little shelter, and some amount of shade from the full power of the summer sun. The recommendation of a moist soil for these primulas is occasionally misunderstood by amateurs, who have not fully learned the import of the term "winter damp." While growing freely they certainly must have moisture, or they will die. The same remark applies to the common English primrose, and thousands perish every year in gardens through dryness at the root in the summer season. But, on the other hand, a damp sour soil is equally fatal to them in winter, and, to take a further view of the matter, the defective drainage of rockeries and borders is the principal cause of all the losses that occur in gardens where choice plants are denied their right of choice treatment. To grow Primula Sieboldi and its near relation P. cortusoides well, a border or bank should be prepared of good loam, leaf-mould, and old hotbed manure, with a liberal proportion of sand; and in this they will prosper, provided they are not injuriously damp in winter. In a place badly drained, a raised bank or slope will often answer perfectly for plants that are a little particular, but the slope should be broad and easy, not narrow and abrupt. An easy slope will collect its share of summer rain, but a sharp slope will collect none, and in avoiding winter damp we must not rush to the other extreme of summer dryness.
The named varieties of this primula are of great value for frame culture and for the unheated Alpine house. The best of them give us beautiful shades of lavender and blue, colours but rarely represented in the primula family. We continue here our list of select rockery plants, many of which are admirably adapted for the border:- Phlox reptans and subulata, with their several varieties, will thrive in any good soil; they bear partial shade, and make a wondrous show of floral beauty. Phyteuma humile, Sieberi, and orbiculare are of the useful class of rockery plants, their blue flower-heads being at once curious and beautiful. Polygonum Brunoni and vaccinifolium make a nice pair to form spreading masses in sheltered bays, common soil being sufficient for them. Ranunculus amplexicaulis, montanus, glacialis, rutaefolius, alpestris, parnassifolius, and Lyalli form a lovely group for the moist parts of a good rockery. To plant them and forget them will not do; moisture in summer they must have, and care must be taken to keep the ground free from weeds. Saponaria caspitosa and ocymoides are capable of taking care of themselves almost anywhere, and they are of the thoroughly useful class of rock plants. Saxifraga Andrewsi, longifolia, pyramidalis, oppositifolia, ceratophylla, hypnoides, muscoides, cristata, cordifolia, crassifolia, geum, juniperina, umbrosa, and a dozen more can be brought into service where the rockery is extensive and well managed. These are not particular about soil, but the soft leafy kinds require much moisture, and the hard crusty kinds require to be in dry positions, amidst stones or on the faces of rocks, but with a good depth of earth for their roots to ramble in. The saxifrages should have the best attention of every lover of choice hardy plants.
Scabiosa Webbiana, graminifolia, and atropurpurea nana will grow in common soil and almost any situation.
Sedum rupestre, Sieboldi, spectabile, pulchellum, glaucum, spurium, maximum, aizoon, and telephium are all lovers of sunshine and a dry calcareous soil, with a grand habit of taking care of themselves. S lydium is a gem for a moist half-shady nook on the rockery.
Sempervivum calcareum, hirtum, globiferum, montaxxm, soboliferum, tectorum, and arachnoideum require light and lime, but they must have something to live on, and therefore it is possible to kill them by starvation-a thing often accomplished by beginners in plant-growing.
Silene alpestris, Schafta, and Virginica are three beauties, needing a deep sandy or stony soil, and to be safe from winter damp. Spiroea bullata, filipendula, palmata, and lobata form a fine group; they need a deep moist loam.
Thalictrum anemonoides and minus are two quiet plants that will become favourites when well known; any soil will suit them. Thymus serpyllum, citriodorus aureus, and lannginosus are lovely things for a wall or ruin, and will flourish in the very heart of London if properly provided for.
Tunica saxifraga is a little rosy beauty for a wall or a stony sunny corner. Veronica prostrata, rupestris, and spicata are lovely enough for any honest eye, and do well on a town rockery, with no special care.