PERENNIALS > AURICULA
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AURICULA GUIDES
Varieties
Auriculas produce bloom in an amazing array of colours and patterns , from essentially ‘ block colouration ’ blooms in bright sunny tones through to highly intricate patterns comprising of daubs , stripes , and graduation in hues both diffuse and dramatic .
Their diverse varieties mean that these herbaceous perennials are arrant for beds and borders but also for greenhouse refinement and ornamental planter .
Self Show Auriculas
C of such hybridisation - breeding and muddiness intend that – though there may or may not be such a affair as an ‘ Auricula Society ’ or a ‘ Primula Society ’ – thereissuch a thing as the‘Auricula and Primula Society’–several of them , in fact .
They happen as salver - work individual flowers and complex , ruffled duple blossom .
Overview
PreferredFull Sun or Partial Shade
ExposureExposed or shelter
Height0.1 – 0.2 thousand
Self Show Auriculas
Spread0.1 – 0.2 M
Bloom TimeSpring
PreferredMost Soil Types
MoistureMoist but well enfeeble
pHAny
Some of these , for model , Primula‘Cinnamon ’ , could even be misidentify for a type of rose wine .
Double Auriculas take among them a few of the rare flower that come in leaf green , and have utter mordant colouration .
As for the single types , the signifier ‘ salver ’ is a specially tending one , for a large number of varieties resemble hand - painted miniature porcelain crockery .
The ‘ basic ’ , simplest types are identified by the prime ’ velvety appearance , white-hot central disc and bi - tonic gradation on the corolla , as professional nurseryman Roy Nicol ploughshare :
“ Some plant have a white or yellow pulverisation call the farina coating the leave-taking and , on social occasion , the flower . ”
‘ Basic ’ or ‘ complex ’ , one path or another Auriculas are highly ornamental plant that bear showy bloom – and ultra - showy or ‘ show - offy ’ flowers in view of their unique and complex patterns , extraordinary palette , and countless colour combinations .
These supremely decorative plants come at a price , however .
Not surprisingly , in general the more ‘ complex ’ and prized the variety , the more hard it is to get and the more eminent - maintenance it is .
I ’d suggest that even experienced gardener who require to take the plunge into growing Auriculas would do well to begin by raise Border or Garden Types and Alpine types .
For nurseryman who are persevering and find , Auriculas are quite peradventure the top choice to introduce nonpareil color , show , and cosmetic pursuit to your garden .
Habitat & Growing Conditions
As Auricula originate in Alpine and Sub - Alpine regions , coolheaded to cold , dry climate befit them advantageously .
They are also accustomed to frequent rainfall but must have well - drained soils .
Though Auricula species are hardy enough to thrive in exposed locations , cultivar should be grown in sheltered locations .
All varieties are winter hardy , and their hardiness couple USDA Zones 3 to 8 ( H5 to H7 RHS Zones ) .
How To Grow
Growing From Seed
There is no accord on the estimable time of year to engraft Auricula seeds .
The answers you get will change by company , nursery , or expert , and will traverse the year from November through July !
Personally , I would nominate that seeds be sown as wintertime transitions into spring .
Where To Plant
Border Auriculas have a name that suggest just where they ought to be planted – moulding and also beds and rock garden , which is where Auricula specie can be planted too , and also Alpine type if the mood is suited .
All eccentric are excellent choices for modest gardens and for courtyards .
Show types are thoroughgoing to develop as specimen plant in terracotta batch and in modest , decorative plantation owner in a cold glasshouse .
Auricula varieties need to be grow in a location where they get part - sun part - shade , are protected from high heat and humidity , and are shelter from harsh factor but where there is a liberal flow of refreshful air .
“ After winter under protection , Auriculas are often expose in ‘ Auricula theatre of operations ’ when they total into bloom , where they can be displayed to their best reward , ” explain Roy .
Plant Care
As a general formula , Auricula specie and the Border or Garden types are the least difficult to develop , and the Show Types , such as Fancy Show , being quite difficult .
Temperature
These often need to be grown in a cold glasshouse or in a cold frame .
It should not get too live , too dry , too wet – they are sensitive plant and need care , alertness , and gardening expertise .
Because most Show Varieties can be fussy , what one can extend in an outline are broad recommendations that may need tweaking and tuning .
Soil & Watering
These plants should be grow in humus - rich soil or compost - based loam ; in either case some grit or gravel should be mixed in .
The land should drain very well but should be kept moist in spring and summer .
They need frequent but moderate lacrimation but only through spring and summertime .
In the wintertime months they should be kept teetotal and get a mere sprinkle of water .
loose - flowing fresh melody is necessary for Auricula health .
Feeding
You may apply a general - intention constitutional fertiliser in January .
In April , thinly prey the plant with 5 - 10 - 5 fertiliser to hike up flowering .
Pruning
These low plant do not need pruning other than removal of morbid or abnormal parts .
All you require do is deadhead in the flowering season .
Common Problems
Auriculas are among those plants that are most prone to plague and diseases – you could almost say , if a plant disease or plague exists , Auricula cultivar – and even some coinage – are susceptible to it .
A laundry list of disease and pestis includes , leaf aphids , root aphids , leafhoppers , glasshouse red spider mite , vine weevil , poke , botrytis aka grey moulds , leaf spot , and plant viruses .
From among all of these perturbing scourge we feel that root aphids , botrytis AKA grey mould , and vine weevil model the greatest peril to Auriculas in the UK .
Skilled and experient gardener may be able to cure plants consider down by these trouble .
Where these sensitive flora are concerned , the best plan is to be argus-eyed and practise prevention by espouse the plant precaution recommendation above .
