Jewels of the Alps
Auriculas are ‘florist’ flowers that inspire a level of perfection bordering on the fanatical
One of the joys of visiting a flower show is the chance to reconnect with some traditions of garden craft.
In our ever-changing world where times and seasons seem to whizz by, it’s reassuring to meet dedicated growers who, year in year out, seek to perfect beautiful aspects of certain species.
Flower shows present them with the perfect stage to display the results of their toil.
Topping the list for me has always been the auricula theatres created at the Chelsea Flower Show – stepped displays of potted florals against a black background to create a theatrical set piece.
My favourite Chelsea display was often created by William Lockyer and family. William, or Bill as he was known to his friends, would attend with wife Joan and son Simon, dressed in formal suit, tie and bowler hat. I visited their home on one occasion to see the breeding, growing and selection process. Sadly Bill is no longer with us but the joy that he brought to so many will live on. Auriculas are members of the Primula family and spring is their time to shine – so the best examples are often held back for display in the third week of May. So now is a good time to chat about them before they get lost in the blur of late spring action. Auriculas are alpine flowers, hailing from the great mountain ranges of central Europe – the Alps in France, the Apennines in Italy and across to the Tatra mountains of Slovakia and Poland.
Also known as the mountain cowslip, the auricula was introduced to Britain at the end of the 16th century by the Huguenots.
It became a ‘florist’ flower, meaning that it was grown in pots for display at exhibitions, and specialist societies were founded.
It’s one of those plants, like orchids and tulips, that inspired great passion and even obsession.
Today, there are more than a thousand cultivars and enthusiasts are always on the look out for new varieties. So what is all the fuss about?
Well, it’s the flowers – their shape, the jewel-like colours and exquisite delicacy of markings. Once you start to delve into the minutiae of the various classifications of auriculas and their characteristics, it’s clear that it is a specialist subject with a language all its own – pips and trusses, pastes and grounds, stripes and selfs.
The descriptions are akin to those of thoroughbred racehorses as this excerpt from a catalogue about a particular auricula demonstrates: “a frequent winner on the show bench, due more to reliability than absolute form”.
There are four types – show, alpine, double and border. Border and double types can be grown outdoors in troughs or in borders.
Show types are characterised by a white powder-like appearance on part or all of the flower.
This was a chance mutation back in the 18th century which was seized upon and has become a defining attribute. It’s called paste and, as it is disfigured by rain, the show varieties are usually grown with protection from winter showers.
All auriculas however are hardy, as you’d imagine from a plant that is covered in snow in its natural habitat.
What alpines don’t like is getting soggy, so they are best grown in agritty compost or soil, and, if growing in pots, you must be careful not to overwater.
A cold greenhouse is an ideal situation but make sure to provide shade from summer sun which can be scorching when intensified through glass.
A cold frame outdoors would also be a suitable environment.
The leaves will go yellow in autumn. That’s a natural part of their process, so don’t panic, just snip them off.
The plants go dormant for winter and wake up in spring.
To find out more about growing these plants, visit a specialist alpine nursery or go along to one of the many Primula and auricula spring shows, where growers will be displaying, and talk to them.
Gardeners with a passion love to share their knowledge and spread the joy!