PLANT OF THE WEEK

These are among the cheeriest of the early-flowering primulas, with large domed heads of flower. In early spring they create brilliant splashes of colour.

Stand in an unheated conservatory, a semi-enclosed porch or even a cool room indoors.

Once the weather turns milder, they make wonderful spring bedding for tubs. Don’t tip them out of their pots. Arrange the plants closely together, sink the pots to their rims in the old compost and they’ll make a good show. Keep them lightly watered. Once a week, snip off any dead flowers with their stalks. They should flower well into April.

Don’t throw them away when flowering ceases – remove from pots and plant in a semi-shady garden area. That way they’ll build up bigger clumps to flower again next spring.