Primula florindae - Primrose

The Primula florindae, also known as the Tibetan primrose or giant primrose, is the most fragrant of all primroses, and one of the largest. This deciduous Tibetan perennial stands tall in late spring, with its umbels of sulfur-yellow bell-shaped flowers gracefully inclined towards the ground, contrasting with its broad, wavy, bright green foliage. Appreciating the sun and cool soils, it thrives near water sources, in flower beds, even in waterlogged areas.

Native to southeastern Tibet, where it grows abundantly near watercourses, up to 4000m (13123ft) altitude, Primula florindae is an herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Primulaceae family. From spring onwards, it forms a rosette of large basal leaves with a diameter of at least 50cm (20in), with oval, toothed, wavy, very vibrant green leaves. They taper abruptly at the base and end with a long petiole. In late spring or early summer, several sturdy stems emerge from the foliage, powdery at their tips, each growing at least 70cm (28in) in height, one or two umbels of 20 to 40 small sulfur-yellow and powdery bell-shaped flowers, 1 to 2cm (0 to 1in) in length, inclined towards the ground at the end of their long petiole. They emit an intense and very pleasant fragrance. A short-lived perennial, this primrose ensures its longevity through spontaneous sowing. That is why it is important not to prune the flower stalks, but to let them wither so that the seeds disperse at the end of summer and young seedlings can ensure the next spring's offspring.

The Tibetan primrose is a highly decorative plant, which will find its place in the sun or partial shade in a cool rockery, flower beds, borders, on lawns, and in natural gardens. It will thrive on the banks of water sources, in the company of Alchemilla mollis, Artemisia lactiflora, associated with filipendulas, lysimaches, and astilbes.

Etymology: 'primula' comes from the Latin word primus, meaning first, alluding to the early flowering of plants, and 'florindae' means many flowers.