Primula Cheshire Life
I spotted this Primula Cheshire Life on a visit to the local garden centre a couple of weeks ago.
A very attractive plant, and as we are now living in Cheshire I felt it deserved a place in our woodland walk.
Turns out to be a cross between cowslip and wild primrose, which I take to be (vulgaris).
It has the more lemon colour of vulgaris, but flowering on longer stems, as the cowslips do, stems, perhaps not quite as long.
Cheshire life was introduced in 2012, and referred to being one of the novelty range primulas from Vale Royal Horticulture.
I dont really get the novelty bit, however it was named by the quality magazine (Cheshire Life) and said to be compact, robust and with multiple stems.
I have to say, I do like this plant very much, and unlike many of the gaudy Primulas and Polyanthus which many of us treat as annuals, this little beauty will be staying put, and I will look forward to increasing my stock by dividing them in early Autumn.
This relatively new introduction at the moment, seems to be available by mail order to wholesale only.
Apparently it is widely available in garden centres.
*** Good offers on Summer flowering bulbs ***
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Another Primula purchased at the same time is the very popular (G0ld Lace)
Primula Gold lace
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Couldn’t resist the cowslip. Perhaps its more of a wild meadow plant, however the damp conditions of our woodland walk should suit it fine.
Cowslip
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At the bottom South end of our woodland path, a clearance allows us access to the true woodland.
Left very much to its own devices, the woodland has a wild charm which I will continually check out in the coming weeks and months.
The small river (Croco) runs through our woodland, its narrow and just about eight miles long.
With the woodland to myself on a pleasant sunny afternoon I was startled by the flight of two ducks which took flight disturbed by my presence.
This old collapsed tree looks quite dramatic, spanning the narrow river.
I wonder how long this very old bench has sat here.
Clear signs of a path with a pond on the right, seems to indicate that at some time this woodland received attention.
Wild Daffodils and Snowdrops dotted here and there have me wondering what other plants are in store for me as the season progresses.
If you happen to leave a comment I will be sure to visit your site and do the same
© 2015, Alistair. All rights reserved.
Alistair, your photos are really stunning. I wish you posted more often, as I find your photos beautiful and captivating. Thank you so much for sharing and warm greetings from Montreal, Canada. 🙂
Thanks Linda, catch up with you later.
Aptly named for your new garden Alistair. It’s a lovely looking wee thing and through dividing you will be able to spread it all along your woodland walk. I can see from the picture that just those few wee plants brighten it up already.
That woodland at the bottom of the garden will be a haven for all sorts of wildlife – great too that you have access direct.
Mind you Angie, if I see a plant named Aberdeen life, I will be sure to buy it.
Hello Alistair,
It is magic to see you are settled in and preparing for a lovely spring and summer in your new garden. I am sorry to report that I still have not managed to set up a website – I keep forgetting but thanks to your wonderful posts I am learning day by day.
I agree with Linda your posts are sorely missed from Bonnie Banff
Take care and enjoy your new life and garden x
Thanks Paula, we lived in Aberdeen, are you in Banff?
Oh my Alistair what a fabulous woodland with a river and pond….so this is your land? Loads of surprises I am sure you will find. Love the new plants.
Hi Donna, The woodland is accessed solely from my garden but it doesnt belong to me. Perhaps it has a dark secret, in the meantime, I am claiming it.
I am very fond of Primula vulgaris and have numerous plants dotted around the garden which gets divided regularly and increases the stock. Cheshire Life looks very sweet and not at all gaudy, I could find a place for it in my garden too 🙂
You are lucky having access to such a nice woodland area next to your garden, such a treat!
I was just having a look at the woodland path yesterday Helene, and it is so very boggy after a couple of days rain. I am beginning to wonder if the likes of skunk cabbage would have been more appropriate.
I envy you the river at the bottom of your garden, Alistair. We have land and woods, but no water. Primulas are my favorite plant (today,) and when the ground thaws I would like to plant some in our woodland walk. I have them in the main cottage garden. On second thoughts, I’m not sure if the deer will eat them though. Have to research that. Your new acquisitions are delightful. P. x
The woodland and the river is a bonus Pam, I will have to keep a look out for deer.
Hi Alistair! I do love Cheshire’s lemon-yellow color! Gold Lace looks funny!
Primulas are lovely little plants!
Woodland should have a lot of birds!
An absolute haven for birds Tatyana.
How lucky you are to have the “adopted” woodland Alistair, as you know you are preaching to the converted when it comes to primulas, I really like the simplicity of Cheshire Life. I grow a few Gold Lace hybrids but I am never comfortable with them as I think they remind me too much of auriculas which are the only primulas I am not particularly fond of. Every man to his own I suppose.
Hi Rick
Gold lace isn’t really suitable for the woodland, but I must confess, I am quite fond of Auriculas.
I love primulas and wish growing conditions in my garden were more to their liking. I manage to add a few every year and most seem to survive. I really like the ‘Gold Lace’ and will have to see if I can find one here. Your little woodland has such potential. I am sure primula will thrive there.
The woodland is a bonus Jennifer, even though it is adopted.
I bought that primula a couple of years ago and it is the best I’ve ever bought. It comes back every year, divides perfectly and holds its colour perfectly. I have a potted clump in pride of place at my front door to put a smile on visitors faces.
Good to hear your experience with this plant Jane, I am definitely going to increase my stock.
Hello Alistair, some lovely sunny pictures of the woods around you, it’s amazing how different the “feel” of the woodland is depending on what’s planted in it and how long it’s been there. As for the primroses, I’m with you in that I don’t really like the bright and gaudy coloured modern varieties, I much prefer the elegantly understated species.
I used to be into the gaudy stuff Sunil, calming down a bit now. Although this Summer the front garden may be quite an explosion.