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Primula obconica is often confused with:
Primula elatior
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Chrysanthemum x morifolium
Lantana camara 'Miss Huff'
Nerium oleander

Primrose Primula obconica

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Primrose:

Phonetic Spelling
PRIM-yew-lah ob-KON-ih-kah
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

German primrose is a short-lived perennial in the primrose family (Primulaceae) that s native to China. The specific epithet, obconica, means "inverted cone", referring to the convex flowers.

Plant in a peat-based potting mixture for indoor use. Outdoors, they prefer a well-drained sandy loam. They need cool conditions and indirect sunlight for optimum performance.  They bloom indoors in winter into early spring. After the flowers fade, keep in a cool place to encourage future blooming. 

It has basal, simple, elongated, glandular-haired leaves. The flowers are in rounded terminal clusters of bluish flowers with white edges and 5 petals on a naked stem. Leaves can cause contact dermatitis, so wear gloves when handling

Use German primrose as an annual outdoors in shady gardens or as a houseplant. In frost-free areas, it can be grown as a perennial.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The fungal disease botrytis may affect this plant.  Good air circulation around the plant will help prevent this disease.  Root rot, damping off and crown rot may cause the plant to wilt and die.  Dispose of affected plants.

More information on Primula.

See this plant in the following landscape :
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Libre Series
    Doesn't require cold to start blooming. Magenta, blue bicolor and pink bicolor
  • Touch Me Series
    Larger flowers in dark nlue, magenta, pink and rose
  • Twilly Series
    Ruffled or serrated edes and bicolor patterns
Libre Series, Touch Me Series, Twilly Series
Tags:
#tender perennial#showy flowers#long bloom time#poisonous#low maintenance#problem for dogs#problem for horses#contact dermatitis#problem for cats#perennial#herb garden#florist plant#houseplant#winter flowers
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Libre Series
    Doesn't require cold to start blooming. Magenta, blue bicolor and pink bicolor
  • Touch Me Series
    Larger flowers in dark nlue, magenta, pink and rose
  • Twilly Series
    Ruffled or serrated edes and bicolor patterns
Libre Series, Touch Me Series, Twilly Series
Tags:
#tender perennial#showy flowers#long bloom time#poisonous#low maintenance#problem for dogs#problem for horses#contact dermatitis#problem for cats#perennial#herb garden#florist plant#houseplant#winter flowers
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Primula
    Species:
    obconica
    Family:
    Primulaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China
    Wildlife Value:
    Toxic if ingested
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Poisonous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    2-3 stalks with umbel (umbrella) flower clusters, terminal on a naked stem, 5-parted, funnel-shaped, pale lilac or purple with a yellow eye. Bloom indoors in winter and spring.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Velvety
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Elliptical
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Description:
    Heart-shaped, basal, simple, elongated, with glandular hairs
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Small Space
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    Allergic skin irritation (redness, blisters, swelling), mainly on hands and face, following contact.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Primin, a benzoquinone; primetin, a flavone
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves
    Stems