The original plant raised from seed from NE Turkey a quarter century ago and a mother of thousands, again in need of division (duly performed shortly after this photo was taken, 3/18/25). Photo, Windcliff, DJH
Prime; the most active, thriving or satisfying period. Primavera: a painting by Botticelli or abowlapasta with spring vegetables. For a gardener this latin resounds in THE indispensable Primula, the manifestation of spring conjoining the hellish, meet-and-gag racks of garish colors at every grocery store in America (or whatever we are calling THAT now?).
On September 8th of 2000, according to my notes, I drove with polymath and plantsman Bob Beer and fern guru Richie Steffan from the Otel Genesis in Trabzon to Uzungol via Of during our time together in NE Turkey. After checking into our lodgings for that night, we hiked above the village on a small track to 1100m. Epimedium, Geranium, Cyclamen, Campanula and Astrantia were abundant, as were the wastings of a Primula beaten hard by summer’s heat but still with capsules plump with seed.
The magnificent, botanically opulent mountains and valleys of NE Turkey, near Ouit Pass, 2000. (Before IPhones were invented) Photo DJH
The resultant seedlings of Primula sp. DJHTu 0133, upon flowering in 2002, transfigured to Primula vulgaris subsp. sibthorpii, nomenclature that teeters upon a threshold of validity. The current subspecific epithet honors Humphry Waldo Sibthorp (1713-1797), a British botanist and fellow of Magdalen College of Oxford University who is primarily known for having taught only one course for 37 consecutive years. I have to believe his lectures were enthralling if not well orchestrated. The modern day thrashings of taxonomy, however, suggests that the enormously widespread Primula vulgaris merely possesses a surfeit of variation. No matter, really, as Sibthorp’s legacy remains secure by way of Sibthorpia, a really-not-so-pretty member of the Plantain Family with a peculiar distribution in the mountains of North and South America( or whatever we are calling THOSE now), Africa and the coasts of Europe.
The pin-eyed flowers of the best selection of DJHTu 0133 with petals embracing a deeply saturated heliotrope with a center star of gamboge and light yellow. Photo, Windcliff, DJH
As this trip was on the same Millennial Year that we purchased Windcliff, the resultant seedlings of our collection were planted at both Heronswood and our new bluff-side garden in Indianola. In terms of saturation of color, there was substantial variation amongst the seedlings, with the best of the lot landing at Heronswood. It is that superior clone that now predominates the upper meadow at Windcliff, commencing in flower by mid-December and carrying on respectfully through April.
To encourage cross pollination, primroses possess one of two floral morphs; thrum-eyed and pin-eyed. The pin-eyed morph of DJHTu 0133 shows the (female) stigma directly at the fusion point of the petals with the (male) pollen-filled anthers deep within the tube. Roles are reversed in thrum-eyed flowers. The fluidity of sexual function is universal despite a movement afoot by the GOP to ban all things pin-eyed. Photo DJH
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A recently raised seedling from commercially available seed, showing, for good or bad, the variability of color within this subspecies. Photo, Windcliff, DJH
In full-sun or light-shade in winter-moist/summer-dry soils, stating this plant is undemanding is an understatement. A noticeable decline in vigor will occur if not divided on a quasi-regular basis (every third year), a task I undertake in early spring when the best of its floral effects are faltering. I suggest being brutal in the process, shearing off all flowers and foliage from divisions before replanting.
Sibthorp’s Primula (or whatever we are calling THAT now) is currently available at Windcliff Plants in Indianola (open by appointment every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; email windcliff@century.tel), Heronswood Garden in Kingston, Ravenna Gardens in Seattle and Bay Hay and Feed on Bainbridge Island.
DJH, on this first day of spring, 2025.
Thank you for your in-depth descriptions of primula. I have several that also need dividing, a good reminder to so today while it has stopped raining.
TY Dan. Temptation laden plant info, intriguing travel memory details. Hinkley style responsible political citizen presence. Liking your 21st century version of treasured Heronswood catalogue and lecture commentary. Keep it coming please.
Dan- you r so inspirational and thank you for writing in such a way that I feel you are speaking directly to me and taking me along a timely and interesting journey.
The world is turned upside down right now… and your prose and stories peak my interest and provide much comfort to me.
Looking forward to a time where being kind to one another is considered common, normal and universal.
Keep up the good work!