Primula capitata subsp. mooreana - Primrose

The Primula capitata mooreana is a lovely subspecies of the Himalayan primrose, a wonderful montane perennial that can be a bit delicate to acclimate in our gardens. Its upright flower stems bear heads of flowers in a deep blue-violet colour covered with a white bloom that gives them a frosty appearance. They flower from spring to summer, above a rosette of velvety leaves in a greyish green colour. Hardy and perennial, it appreciates humus-rich soils, climates with humid and cool summers, and non-scorching exposures. Sown from January to March under heated shelter, it flowers in the first year.

The Primula capitata is a relatively unknown plant in the Primulaceae family. It is a herbaceous perennial species native to the eastern Himalayas, governed by a very cool, rainy climate in summer and cold and dry in winter. In nature, it can be found on wooded slopes, forest edges, and clear undergrowths, growing in rocky and humus-rich soils, therefore well-drained and slightly acidic. These are the growing conditions that suit it, and the gardener should try to provide them for successful cultivation.

The subspecies P. capitata mooreana has ground-hugging rosettes of velvety leaves, measuring 30 cm (12in) wide, spreading in small colonies if the growing conditions are suitable. Flowering can occur from April to September, even on young plants aged 4 to 6 months. Powdery flower stems emerge from the rosettes, reaching a maximum height of 30 cm (12in). In their upper part, they produce globular inflorescences measuring 4 to 5 cm (2in) in diameter, composed of multiple small bell-shaped flowers facing slightly downwards. The flowers, measuring 1 to 1.5 cm (0 to 1in) in diameter, are more or less powdery, in a blue-violet colour with a tiny yellow heart surrounded by purple. Pollinated by insects, the flowers produce fine seeds that can germinate in light and humus-rich soil. The foliage is a light green colour with a slightly grayish appearance on top, with a powdery texture and lighter color underneath. The dentate leaves measure 5 to 12 cm (2 to 5in) in length, and they are hairy and beautifully crinkled. The vegetation of this primrose, more or less deciduous, often disappears in winter and re-emerges in spring.

The primrose Primula capitata ssp. mooreana will delight amateur gardeners looking for a challenge: if you succeed in growing the legendary blue Himalayan poppy, acclimating this small perennial will seem like child's play, as these two plants enjoy the same conditions. They are perfect plants for flowering in slightly shaded and cool gardens in summer, as long as the soil is not waterlogged in winter! This primrose can be associated with easy perennials such as campanulas, epimediums, thalictrums, and lungworts, for example. Plant the primroses in vigorous groups for more impact. This plant can also be used to fill a shady and cool rockery, with fortune's saxifrages, for example. Its cultivation can also be attempted in pots, which will protect it from excessive moisture in winter by storing it in an unheated but bright location.