Primula japonica Millers Crimson Seeds - Japanese Primrose

Primula japonica 'Miller's Crimson' is a remarkably colourful variety of Japanese primrose that are usually sold in small pots. It is a variety that reseeds giving plants that faithfully reproduce the traits of their parents, making it possible to produce many of the same plants at a lower cost. This rather fascinating candelabra primrose has floral scapes whose tips are packed with whorls of deep purple pink flowers, adorned with a darker eye. Very hardy, this perennial plant will thrive in the sun in wet to moist soils, particularly along the edges of ponds, or in wet, shady undergrowth. It also is very attractive in window boxes, flowering profusely at the end of spring.

The Japanese primrose, also known as a candelabra primula, is a relatively unknown, but reliable and strong plant of the family Primulaceae, which deserves to be used more in gardens. It is a vigorous herbaceous perennial species native to the moist, wooded areas of Japan. The cultivar 'Miller's Crimson', from which it is derived, has been awarded in England by the Royal Horticultural Society for its ornamental qualities and garden performance. First, it produces 30-40 cm wide, leafy rosettes, from which slightly silvery, 40 cm tall floral stems emerge in late spring or summer. The light green, lanceolate, deciduous foliage features nicely crinkled, toothed leaves, measuring 10 to 30 cm long. Flowering takes place in May-June, in the form of large vertical scapes, whose tips bear several whorls or tiers of flowers. The flowers are a deep, bright crimson or reddish-purple with a darker centre. They measure 1 to 2 cm in diameter. The deciduous above-ground growth of this primrose dies back in winter to reappear in spring.

Candelabra Primrose 'Miller's Crimson' is useful for adding colour to shady, damp areas of the garden and thrives on riverbanks, in fertile soil that is reliably moist to wet. It can be combined with astilbes, hostas, knotweeds and rodgersias. Plant Japanese primroses in generous drifts for more impact. They are very hardy and long-lasting in evenly moist or wet soils. This variety also makes for beautiful borders, decorates shady rock gardens beautifully and performs well in pots and window-boxes.