A small container garden in spring with border and alpine auriculas alongside succulent echeveria, all planted in terracotta pots
FEATURE & IMAGES NICOLA STOCKEN
Create a mesmerising potted display with auriculas in a variety of beautiful hues
Boasting an array of gloriously vibrant colours auriculas burst onto the scene in spring, winning admirers with their elegance and charm. Their appeal comes from the jewel-like luminosity of every flower and the variety of patterns, petal edgings and markings, which are most appreciated at close range. The Latin name, Primula auricula, derives from primus, meaning first – because it flowers early – and auricula loosely translates as ‘small ear’, giving rise to the common name ‘bear’s ear’, which refers to the cupped shape of the leaves.
Popularised in the 17th century when some striped double varieties fetched £20 per plant – a fortune for that time – by the Victorian era devoted collectors showcased their most captivating cultivars in dedicated Auricula Theatres. These ornate shelving units were often decorated with lead roofs and curtains to resemble a miniature theatre and, traditionally, were painted in dark colours to emphasise the intricacy of the flowers. Modern versions abound, including those crafted from timber salvaged from pallets or converted from the upper section of an old wooden dresser.
Today, auriculas continue to enchant with an ever-widening range of hybrids in myriad colour combinations. Auriculas originate from mountainous habitats across the Alps and are evergreen perennials, developed from hybridising Primula hirsuta with Primula auricula. Each plant consists of a rosette of smooth, spoon-shaped mid-green foliage, which, in early spring, sends up an upright stem sporting umbels of up to eight open-faced flowers – a rich source of pollen and nectar for bees.
Varieties for different positions