Set your sights on spring auriculas

The exotic-looking auricula is one of the great floral joys of spring, guaranteed to lift spirits whether seen from afar or admired at close quarters. Either in borders or massed in pots, the astonishing flowers come in a jewel-box of different tones in every shade except pure blue.

In the wild, Primula auricula is a dwarf, evergreen perennial found in the alpine ranges of central Europe. Hybridised with P. hirsuta, there are currently more than 1,500 forms in circulation divided into four broad types – border, double, alpine and show, the last two sub-divided into four further groups according to their floral characteristics.

The circular, lobed blooms are often multicoloured, some with a mealy, silvery farina or paste deposit on various parts of the flower, or on the leaves. Easily marred by rain or touch, such varieties should be kept under cover in a cold greenhouse, frame or a covered display when in flower.

Auriculas are easy to grow, preferring a sheltered spot in dappled or light shade.

Border varieties will grow in any moist, well-drained soil, with added garden compost. Those displayed in 9cm (3½in) pots are best in a loa-mbased compost, such as John Innes No 2 or John Innes and peat-free blends, adding horticultural grit or Perlite for drainage. Keep watered, especially when in active growth in spring. Feed with high-potash liquid fertiliser at half strength when plants are in active growth and during flowering, then stop.

To propagate, simply lift a mature clump from the border in late winter when they’re just stirring into growth or remove an overgrown plant from a pot. Open up the plant, teasing separate sections apart so you have a shoot with a growth point and leaves, complete with a portion of thick root covered in finer roots and pot into cells or 7.5cm (3in) pots and grow on.