Primula vulgaris Francesca - English Primrose

The Primula vulgaris 'Francesca' is a stemless primrose intended to venture off the beaten path, as it offers large flowers with unusual shades until summer, with intense freshness. They are composed of fringed petals with curly edges, in an opalescent jade green shade, radiating around a bright throat, chartreuse green to pale yellow. These flowers bloom for a very long period, unaffected by the whims of the weather. New varietal creations bring these perennials, often grown as biennials, back into the spotlight, much to our delight! They are perfect in pots, in flower beds, in borders, and grow in the sun or partial shade, in fertile and moist soil.

The 'Francesca' Primula is a herbaceous perennial plant of the primrose family, derived from the Primula vulgaris found in our meadows and woodlands. This amazing variety was fortuitously discovered in Canada, in Surrey, on an island in British Columbia, by a gardener named Francesca. It stands out for its long, abundant and continuous flowering, from March-April to July. It is a floriferous plant, which forms a beautiful clump of foliage in a few months, reaching heights of 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10in) and widths of 25 to 35 cm (10 to 14in). They develop more or less evergreen rosettes of wavy and veined leaves, in a beautiful light and vivid green. 'Francesca' produces large flowers with numerous undulations, evolving between different shades of almond green, pistachio green, jade green or chartreuse, illuminated at the centre by a more yellow tone. They are gathered in clusters and carried by short villous peduncles surrounded by luxuriant foliage. This variety appreciates semi-shaded exposures.

The stemless primrose 'Francesca' is a reliable and truly easy-to-grow versatile plant. It deserves a place in all gardens and on all balconies. Original and floriferous, it accompanies spring and extends it until summer, tempering the vibrant summer blooms with its green and tangy notes. In flower beds or in pots on a balcony, this plant pairs well with its pink or yellow-coloured companions, forget-me-nots, peonies, or tall comfreys. Primroses are perfect in borders, low flower beds under the cover of deciduous trees, in rockeries and short grass meadows, among snowdrops and violets. The leaves and flowers are edible and can be consumed raw or cooked.

Properties:

They are the same as those of the common primrose and the oxlip: the flowers are soothing and calming, they are used in expectorant preparations. The leaves fight against the formation of bruises, and the whole plant (especially the root) has analgesic, anti-spasmodic, diuretic, and expectorant properties.