Primula hose-in-hose

Description

Forms of Primula with hose-in-hose flowers are always prized. For those not familiar with ‘hose in hose’ designation – it is the case when the calyx of the flower is transformed into a second petaloid structure, giving the impression of one identical flower within the other.
These primulas were popular in England at some point and their name came from the way Elizabethan gentlemen used to wear their stockings, one inside the other with the outer stocking turned down.

The form shown in the picture was obtain by chance from a batch of P. veris ‘Sunset Shades’ seeds and those willing to grow it be prepared to also obtain variations from these seeds, which are most probably the result of cross-pollination (with P. veris and/or Primula x polyantha). Deep yellow with reddish-orange streaks flowers on sturdy stems, later becoming lighter in color.

Germination: easy, after 1 month of cold moist stratification. I usually sow in February (sow superficial), keep the pots at cold and bring them inside for germination somewhere in March/April.  The pots can also be left outdoors and they will germinate with the raise of temp. in late spring.