Enthusiast's Primroses

Also called anomalous primroses or Elizabethan primroses, these are real museum pieces. These curiosities were much sought after in the 17th and 18th centuries. They are in fact mutations where the calyx differs from normal flowers. Jack-in-the-green, a flower held in a ruff of leaves, Hose-in-hose, the calyx transformed into petals to give the impression of one flower inside another. Jackanapes, with a striped calyx, Gallygaskins, with a large ribbed calyx, and others.

Barnhaven have been selling seeds of these wonders without a break for more than half a century! The yields of seeds are small especially of the hose-in-hose but we have managed to separate some of the strains to give you more choice.

For tips on growing Enthusiast's Primroses see the section on Primroses and Polyanthus.