Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Primula vulgaris ‘Plena Violacea’

See Primula vulgaris Huds.  ‘Plena Violacea’ is a double lilac or violet form.  [JD, PD].

Horticultural & Botanical History

Curtis's Botanical Magazine figures Primula acaulis flore pleno carneo, the ‘Double lilac primrose’ which may well be this plant.  Also listed but not figured are double white, deep red or velvet, crimson and single red, or Scotch primrose.  ‘The Primrose in its wild single state is frequently introduced into shrubberies and plantations, for the purpose of enlivening them in the spring months; in its double state it has been deemed peculiarly worthy of cultivation by the curious in flowers.  Of the double yellow Primrose, which seems to have been the first known, we meet with a figure in the Hort. Eyst. and in the Parad. Terrestr. of Parkinson, since those publications many new and perfectly double varieties have been introduced, as The double white, rarely met with.  The double deep red or velvet, the blossoms of this will sometimes come single.  The double pink or lilac, here figured, a plant much admired.  The double crimson, a new variety, which, in brilliancy of colour, far surpasses all the others.  The red, commonly called the Scotch Primrose, less ornamental than any of the preceding: besides these, we have observed a variety with blossoms of a dingy yellow inclining to red, not worth cultivating.  These several varieties of Primrose are admirably adapted to the decoration of the shrubbery, plantations, or even the north side of rock-work; they delight to grow in a stiff loam, a moist and somewhat shady situation, so planted they thrive admirably, the double succeeding almost as well as the single.’  [BM t. 229/1793].  Sitwell.

For a detailed treatment of old double primroses see Primula vulgaris Huds. var. plena rubra.

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [H.200/1850].

Notes

Published Oct 14, 2009 - 04:36 PM | Last updated Sep 05, 2011 - 04:56 PM

Shown is the whole plant, roots, rosette of oblong leaves and double red flowers.  Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.229, 1793.

Primula vulgaris ‘Plena violacea’ | BM t.229/1793 | BHL

 

Family Primulaceae
Category
Region of origin

Europe, but probably of garden origin

Synonyms
Common Name

Double Lilac Primrose

Name in the Camden Park Record

Primula vulgaris plena violacea

 

Confidence level high