Primula Vialii is a member of the primrose family which features a variety of nicknames. Besides from the Chinese Pagoda Primrose, a popular name is the Red Hot Poker Primula, so called due to its red knife-like spikes standing on slender stems.
Primroses usually flower in the first few months of the year yet Red Hot Poker flowers later than most with blooms blossoming in June and July – a perfect choice for early summertime interest.
Red Hot Poker is a shade loving plant so are perfect on the edge of beds and borders where there is little sunshine. We recommend planting them in threes. When planted in a triangle shape with 20cm distances between them, the plant will form an impressive clump of flowers for years to come. The spikes especially will continue to multiply with each passing year, ensuring you’re getting the most out of this spectacular primula.
Red Hot Poker is such a firm favourite amongst gardeners that it’s been awarded with the Garden Merit award by the RHS, making it a fabulous accredited addition to any garden. It’s also brilliant at attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies, transforming your garden into a natural paradise.
If you’re looking for a plant that boasts early season colour, Red Hot Poker Primula is the perfect choice.
How to Plant Red Hot Poker Primula
Red Hot Poker prefers damp soil with plenty of added organic matter in partial sun. It is a low maintenance plant, so requires little attention once established, making it a great plant for beginner gardeners.
When you’re ready to plant your Red Hot Poker, dig a hole a little deeper and 3 x wider than the nursery pot. Add a soil conditioner such as well-rotted manure or our premium professional compost to the earth removed from the hole if necessary.
Remove the plant from its pot and tease out a few of the roots then place your plant in the hole at the same level at the pot. Refill the hole with the earth removed (backfilling), firm in the soil with your heel, taking care to avoid the root ball.
Water well until the plant is established.
How to care for Red Hot Poker Primula
Remember that the roots must not dry out, so water regularly during hot, dry periods to prevent the soil from drying.
Deadhead faded flowers to encourage more blooms to be produced or leave the spent flowers in place to allow them to self-seed.
