Stinking primrose
Primula hirsuta · Primulaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant stinking primrose: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Family
- Primulaceae
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- April to May
- Adult size
- 10 to 15 cm tall
- Growth
- Slow
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-15 °C and below)
- Origin
- Limestone Alps (France, Switzerland, Italy)
- Soil type
- Well-drained, rocky, slightly alkaline
Care
Light exposure
Place your hairy primrose in a semi-shaded or lightly shaded location, particularly in warmer regions. It also tolerates sun in cool mountain climates. This plant dislikes hot south-facing exposure in summer.
Watering
Keep the substrate moist but never waterlogged, especially during spring growth. Reduce watering in summer and autumn. In pots, ensure drainage is excellent to prevent root rot.
Soil and substrate
Use a very well-drained substrate made of leaf mold, gravel, and coarse sand. Adding crushed limestone promotes its growth. This alpine species prefers lean soils and absolutely refuses stagnant moisture.
Fertilizing
A light application of balanced fertilizer in spring is plenty. This mountain plant doesn't require abundant feeding. Well-decomposed compost mixed into the substrate is generally sufficient.
Pruning and cleaning
Regularly remove spent flowers to encourage blooming. Remove dead or damaged leaves to aerate the clump. No severe pruning is necessary; just maintain a compact shape.
Diseases and pests
This hardy alpine plant is generally very healthy. Watch for slugs that enjoy its tender foliage, especially in damp spring weather. Excess water promotes rot; good ventilation and optimal drainage prevent it effectively.
Did you know?
The hairy primrose gets its Latin name 'hirsuta' from its tiny hairy leaves that shimmer like frost. It's endemic to alpine limestone where it colonizes rocky cliffs, offering its purple-pink flowers barely within reach of pickers, which long ensured its survival.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- Yellow loosestrifeLysimachia vulgaris
- CowslipPrimula veris
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.