Julianas

Primula juliae was first identified in 1900, originating in the eastern Caucasus. Plants were sent to Kew and Oxford in 1911. Soon it was being crossed with other species and also with coloured forms of primula vulgaris. "Wanda" was an early result of this activity, and remains the best known of the group. Listed in commercial catalogues as "Wandas", "Julianas" or "Pruhonicians", they are all hybrids of Primula juliae. Known as "Julianas", they are generally small-flowered, but make up in exuberance what they lack in size. They come into flower early, and if conditions suit them, they will provide a mound of flowers, with hardly a leaf visible, for a full three months.

Here you are among the happy-go-lucky primroses. The julianas are confident of their ability to out-spread and out-flower anything twice their size in your garden, and at the same time provide a spot for the little people who play in fairy gardens.They multiply prodigiously, some types carpeting the ground as does P.juliae by creeping root-stocks, others form bushy rosettes, all are excellent for edging and rockeries or just allowed to run.

For tips on growing Julianas see the section on Primroses and Polyanthus.