Primula japonica, the Japanese primrose,[1] Japanese cowslip,[2] Queen of primroses,[3] or valley red,[4] is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to Japan. The common name Japanese primrose also applies to the related species Primula sieboldii.

Primula japonica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Primulaceae
Genus: Primula
Species:
P. japonica
Binomial name
Primula japonica

The plant prefers shady, damp, poorly drained conditions such as those found at the edge of streams and ponds. Numerous cultivars have been developed for garden use, of which 'Miller's Crimson'[1] and 'Postford white'[5] [6] have won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Description

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Mount Mitake (Hyōgo)

The species is a herbaceous perennial, growing to 45 centimetres (18 in) tall and broad, with clusters of purple flowers on erect stems, emerging from rosettes of leaves to 25 centimetres (9.8 in) long, in spring.[7] The plant produces scapes which are 2 feet (0.61 m) high. The first photograph of this plant was printed in 1871 in the Gardeners' Chronicle.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b "RHS Plant Selector - Primula japonica 'Miller's Crimson'". Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  2. ^ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  3. ^ Journal of Horticulture and Cottage Gardener. 1872. p. 142.
  4. ^ John Richards (2002) [1993]. Primula. Pavilion Books Company Ltd. p. 222. ISBN 978-1-8499-4241-6.
  5. ^ Allan Armitage (2011). Armitage's Garden Perennials (2nd ed.). Timber Press. p. 261. ISBN 978-0-88192-435-0.
  6. ^ "Primula japonica 'Postford White'". RHS. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  7. ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  8. ^ Gardeners Chronicle & New Horticulturist. 1891. p. 307.