Primula elatior Colibri Red Shades - Oxlip

Primula elatior 'Colibri Red Shades' is a tall variety of primrose with an exceptionally long, beautifully 'layered' flowering, which produces a fabulous effect. It is also characterised by a more perennial nature than usual primroses. Very hardy, floriferous and unusual, this plant will create a sensation near a walkway or on the edge of a window, to be able to contemplate it at leisure. Adorned with bright red flowers, it will enliven any decor in partial shade, planted in humus-rich, fertile and moist soil.

Primroses belong to the primrose family. Primula elatior, also known as Oxlip, is a herbaceous perennial plant that belongs to our native flora and is mostly found in the partial shade of clear undergrowth or at the edge of forests. When abundant, this species is an indicator of old forests little disturbed by human activity. This plant has given rise to many short-lived perennial hybrids through hybridisation with the Common Primrose (Primula vulgaris), often cultivated as biennial plants. This 'Colibri Red Shades' primrose blooms from early January for 11 weeks, until late March or early April. On each plant, a multitude of more or less short flower stalks, 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 in) in height, each bear umbels filled with single, 4 cm (2 in) wide cup-shaped flowers composed of rounded petals, bright red in colour with a yellow centre. Their absolutely radiant colour is well highlighted by evergreen foliage in rosettes of large, deeply wavy leaves, which are very ornamental even outside of the flowering period.

Elatior primroses are less well known than stemless primroses, but they have their own advantages: they are taller, hardier, more perennial and their flowering is also more spectacular. They are excellent companions for shade-loving and lightly shaded and moist woodland perennials such as heucheras, Brunnera, forget-me-nots, violets or even hostas. They also serve to decorate terraces, windows or balconies, planted in containers that will brighten up spring scenes. They also look impressive in a simple bouquet, mixed with forget-me-nots or early tulips.