Dusty millers & bear’s ears
More commonly known as auriculas, Primula auricula are worth seeking, savouring And showing off.
I have had a love affair with auriculas for many years. At one time, I had a rather lovely collection in many different colours, including several green auriculas and the desirable and elusive black one. However, life got in the way and my collection dispersed, though I still have a few and am keen to build the numbers back up again.
What is it about auriculas that makes them so appealing? Apart from the range of colours, auriculas are small enough to fit into any garden, and they have a history that adds to their interest.
THEIR STORY
Auriculas made their debut in Europe and the United Kingdom in the 1600s and their popularity took off, with breeding and hybridising increasing the choice and big money being paid for some of the varieties. In fact, there was an auricula frenzy not unlike that of Holland’s ‘tulip mania’ that occurred in the same century. Both rich and poor and those in between grew auriculas, not only growing them competitively but also displaying them in ‘display theatres’, breeding them and painting pictures of them. While they have been around for centuries, their popularity waxing and waning over the years, they still hold a desirable status today.
THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF AURICULA
Auriculas can be divided into groups – the main categories being ‘border’ auriculas and ‘show’ auriculas. Border auriculas are less fussy and happy to grow in the garden, whereas show auriculas are grown in pots under cover. There are also ‘alpine’ auriculas, which have large flowers, shaded near the centre, with no farina (a coating of meal, which looks like a dusting of flour and is a feature of some auriculas) at all, and there are also flouncy double auriculas with filled-in flowers.
WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE?
Auriculas have simple-looking velvety flowers, with strong colours or markings, which appear from mid to late spring. The leaves and/or flowers of some may have farina – it is desirable and enhances the look of the auricula. If you come across the word ‘paste’, it is referring to the ring of meal in the centre of the flower.
The flowers of show auriculas can be a variety of colours, including blue, red, yellow, grey, striped or – my absolute favourite – green. Border auriculas also come in a range of attractive colours, though some of the flower colours can be ‘muddy’ rather than clear.
Surprisingly, some of the auriculas, such as the borders, can be scented, so not only do they look
interesting, they also add some fragrance to their appeal. They can also be used florally – by picking them and putting them in a vase, you get to enjoy the scent inside.
WHAT CONDITIONS DO THEY LIKE?
The auriculas grown outside prefer dappled shade and well-drained (though moist) soil, especially in summer. Avoid allowing water to sit around the base of the plant as this causes rot, and remove the old mushy leaves in autumn if you can.
They like yummy stuff added to the soil, such as compost and rotted manure, and a feed of tomato fertiliser (high in potash) will be appreciated.
They are very hardy, putting up with cold winters, including heavy frosts. These ‘outdoor’ auriculas can also be grown in containers.
When it comes to the show auriculas, these are usually grown in small pots for a couple of reasons. First, they are so cool you will want to have them close for regular viewing and a pot allows this; and second, because they often have farina on the flowers, they need to be out of the rain as it washes off the meal and spoils the look of the flower. Place your pots on a (dry) window ledge, in a cold frame, or in an unheated, well-ventilated glasshouse or plastic house situation – somewhere out of the weather. Fill the pots with a well-draining fibrous/ gritty mix. Good drainage is important as auriculas in pots can be prone to waterlogging.
The length of flowering is affected by how hot the climate is – auriculas are not fans of heat and if it is too hot, the flowering will be over quickly, whereas cooler temperatures will see the flowers lasting for as long as three months. Some auriculas can produce yet more flowers in the autumn.
WHEN & HOW TO DIVIDE
Ideally, aim to divide your auriculas after they have flowered – but really, you can do it when you think about it. The only exception to this laissezfaire attitude is if your winters are very cold, when perhaps it is better to wait till spring. Conversely, and perhaps more importantly, if your summers are too hot then defer until the heat has passed.
Auriculas should be divided if they start to look unhappy – they will grow out from the centre, look leggy and will form carrot-like growth with no leaves. It’s then time to divide and refresh by gently pulling apart and replanting. If you are growing the delectable show auriculas, these
will probably be in pots and may need dividing more frequently than the border or garden varieties of auricula. Pot up the offsets that you have removed from the main plant and ensure the baby plants have good drainage – add fine pumice or grit to the mix. Keep them in a cool place while they recover and, to avoid any root rot, watch that you don’t overwater them.
HOW TO GROW MORE
Division is the only way to ensure that named show types will be exactly the same. Sowing from seed will not come true to that plant. However, if you don’t mind this, or you want to experiment, sow away and see what you come up with.
Border auriculas are easy to grow from seed – note that seed must be fresh and not have been stored in warm conditions as it will rapidly deteriorate.
Auriculas are the aristocrats of the Primula genus and are immensely collectable. True, they are not always easy to find, and you may need to go on a bit of a hunt for the more special ones, but once you have a small collection of these delectables, then showing off is mandatory!