Carolyn’s Shade Gardens is a retail nursery located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, U.S., zone 6b. A guiding principle of du Pont’s designs was that the plants “should fit in so well with the natural landscape that one should hardly be conscious that it has been accomplished.”  He also believed that color is one of the most important elements of a garden design. They produce a 6 to 12″ stem topped by nodding, fragrant, lemon-yellow flowers in midspring. “one of the best, even the best, gardener this country has ever produced.”  Almost 60 years later, Winterthur remains one of the premier gardens in the U.S. and has been lovingly maintained to showcase du Pont’s amazing achievement. Local readers should make an effort to see Japanese woodland primrose blooming in my garden because the photos don’t do justice to their beauty. Robust and vigorous, Primula japonica, commonly known as Japanese Primrose, is a deciduous perennial with attractive whorls of flowers in shades of white, soft to deep pink, purple or red. The flowers are candelabra form which means that they bloom successively in tiers one over the other for a long period of time in May and June. They also can have filigreed edges kind of like a doily for a lovely dainty effect. Hardiness zone 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b. Readers who are not local now know which reliably perennial primroses to ask for at their local nursery. If you want to return to my blog’s homepage to access the sidebar information (catalogues, previous articles, etc.) To read the first, which profiles the Peony Garden, click here. This is an archive page preserved for informational use. Subscribing to my blog does not sign you up to receive this information. The signature plant in late May is the colorful candelabra primroses naturalized in the wet area. Primula japonica Japanese primrose, Candelabra primrose in Japan called Kurin-sou Z 4-8. primrose flowers in early summer whorl around the leafless stem. Other common names Japanese primrose . The award stated that du Pont was “one of the best, even the best, gardener this country has ever produced.”  Almost 60 years later, Winterthur remains one of the premier gardens in the U.S. and has been lovingly maintained to showcase du Pont’s amazing achievement. Join our friendly community that shares tips and ideas for gardens, along with seeds and plants. They are located under the tree below the birdhouse. You will discover that many ‘”new and sustainable” garden ideas were well established in 1870 and have simply been forgotten.] Clusters of these shade perennials bloom in early spring to early summer, and pink primrose plants and other hues grow well alongside tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. Primula japonica aka Candelabra Primrose. Japanese gardeners have been growing azaleas for centuries, prizing them for their trumpet-shaped spring flowers in shades of pink, yellow, salmon, red, violet, and white. The round corrugated 3" wide un-primula-like leaves form a stoloniferous mat in our woodland garden. For immediate help or to order plants call. To incorporate these principles, du Pont planted shade-loving ferns, perennials, and striking shrubs among the huge stone outcroppings lining the quarry walls. Since 1988, THE source for buying native, rare, and unique perennials. The only plants that we ship are snowdrops and miniature hostas. You will absolutely adore this primrose. The flowers of Japanese woodland primrose often have a different color “reverse” (back), here white with lavender pink. Japanese primroses, P. japonica, come in many different shades from pure white to dark magenta held on 20″ stems and set off beautifully by their 10″ long bright green leaves. If you are within visiting distance and would like to receive catalogues and information about customer events, please send your full name and phone number to carolynsshadegardens@verizon.net. If you are looking for a colorful primrose like the non-hardy grocery store varieties, these showy double primroses are just what you want. Genus Primula are herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennials, forming a basal rosette of simple leaves, with salver-shaped or bell-shaped flowers which may be solitary or carried in an umbel or in whorls on an erect stem These nine plants are Japanese icons that are perfect for a zen garden or lovers of Japanese culture. Facebook: Carolyn’s Shade Gardens has a Facebook Page where I post single photos, garden tips, and other information that doesn’t fit into a blog post. Click Add to Wishlist to receive an email if this plant is back in stock. According to the books, this is a rare and difficult to grow primrose...we disagree.