Primula vialii
Vial's primrose, Orchid rimrose, Red hot poker primula
Also known as Primula littoniana, Primula vialii (Red Hot Poker Primrose)
- Height × spread
- 0.4m × 0.25m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Generally available in late Spring & early Summer
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a beautiful and unusual form of primrose. The two-toned columnar flowers look very like little red hot pokers. It is actually a flowering spike that contains many tiny flowers. These open from the bottom up, so that the top of the stalk is packed with little bright red bracts. The plumper, lower part contains open pink flowers. It has oblong light-green hairy leaves that are supposed to stand perkily upright, but may prefer to flop. The downside is that this primula tends to have a short life and does not set seeds too well.
- Flower colour
- Purple
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 0.4m
- Spread
- 0.25m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Shady court, Scented garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
AutumnNow
Autumn · Planting
Remove offsets to create new plants
Offsets are small plants or shoots that develop around the parent plant. They should have developed a root system of their own before they are detached. They can be planted directly, or grown in pots if so small they could be 'lost' in the garden.
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with sequestrol
If plants are acid loving and grown in soil with little acidity, or in a container, or are watered with limey tap water an annual feed with sequestrol (iron chelate) is highly beneficial. Follow guidelines on the packet. Will also 'blue-up' hydrangeas.
For hydrangeas that have good blue flowers in acid soil, this product can be used with alkaline soil to turn the flowers blue. This is most effective when the soil is neutral or just slightkly alkaline.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.
Compost · Planting
Multi-purpose compost
Use a good quality peat-free multi-purpose compost when growing in pots and containers.
Found in
More Primula
Primula
Primrose
Primula beesiana Belarina Cobalt Blue = 'Kerbelcob'
Polyanthus primrose
Primula denticulata var. alba
Drumstick primula
Primula elatior
Oxlip, Paigle
Primula japonica 'Miller's Crimson'
Candelabra primula, Japanese primrose
Primula 'Alaska Blue Gem'
Primrose
Primula 'Chameleon'
Primrose
Primula 'Cottage Cream'
Primrose