Primula polyanthus Oak Leaf Yellow Picotee - Hose-in-hose

The Primula 'Oak Leaf Yellow Picotee' is a truly surprising new hybrid primrose: its beautiful lobed and cut leaves resemble those of an oak tree, and its flowers display slim petals, randomly edged with red-pink, on a bright yellow background. They bloom in small clusters from late winter to mid-spring, accompanying the flowering of Coum cyclamen and blanda anemones in the partially shaded and cool areas of the garden. Highly decorative in the garden, this variety is perfect for container gardening.

The Primula 'Oak Leaf Yellow Picotee' is part of a complex group of polyanthus hybrids characterised by their unusual foliage, which is the result of a spontaneous genetic mutation that occurred in an American nursery in 1999. It is an herbaceous perennial plant belonging, like all primroses, to the primrose family. This remarkable variety stands out for its outstanding foliage and the unusual patterns on its flowers. In just a few months, the plant forms an attractive clump of foliage, reaching a height of 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8in) and a width of 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12in). It develops more or less evergreen rosettes in winter, composed of undulate and embossed leaves with veins, more or less serrated along the edges. Their colour ranges from light to medium green, and they are slightly villous. This primrose blooms continuously from February-March to May. The flowers, which are 2-3cm (1in) in size, have well-separated, somewhat irregular petals randomly edged or pointed with red-pink on a bright yellow background. The centre of the flowers is golden yellow. They are gathered in small clusters and carried by short, more or less purple-tinged villous peduncles. 

New varietal creations are bringing these perennials, often grown as biennials, back into the spotlight, much to our delight! The unusual and decorative 'Oak Leaf Yellow Picotee' hybrid primrose deserves a prime spot in the garden or on the balcony, allowing us to admire it up close from the end of winter. It pairs well with spring bulbs that, like itself, appreciate partial shade: anemones and ranunculus, cyclamen, winter aconites (Eranthis), as well as hellebores. In borders or containers, this plant pairs well with its white, blue, and red companions, as well as forget-me-nots and corydalis, which enjoy the same conditions. Primroses are perfect under the cover of deciduous trees, in rockeries and short grass meadows, among snowdrops, pansies, and violets. The leaves and flowers are edible and can be consumed raw or cooked.