Show Self Auriculas

Selfs are show auriculas whose flowers are uniformly coloured from the paste to the margin. They have a golden tube surrounded by a dense white paste which contrasts sharply with the brightly coloured petals. They are usually red, yellow, auricula blue (which is really a kind of purple) and a very dark red which often makes the flowers appear black. Any other colours are classified as 'Any other colour'. It is thought they date back to the beginning of the 19th century. They nearly disappeared after the Second World War but are now popular again, thanks to many amateur growers. 

There is something so satisfying to the eye about a well-grown Self auricula. The pure colours, the perfectly shaped petals and the exceedingly round centre are just, well...so satisfying. They are not the most difficult to grow but some can be a bit tricky. They are usually grown with some cover from the rain as the 'paste' in the middle can run.