Self Show Auriculas Displaying a Burgundy-Black Colour As for the single types, the descriptor ‘salver’ is a particularly apt one, for a large number of varieties resemble hand-painted miniature porcelain crockery. Double Auriculas claim among them a few of the rare flowers that come in leaf green, and have pure black colouration. Some of these, for example Primula ‘Cinnamon’, could even be mistaken for a type of rose. They occur as five-petalled salver-shaped single flowers and complex, ruffled double flowers. Species, hybrids or cultivars, these plants are herbaceous, evergreen perennials.Ĭenturies of such cross-breeding and confusion mean that – though there may or may not be such a thing as an ‘Auricula Society’ or a ‘Primula Society’ – there is such a thing as ‘Auricula and Primula Society’ – several of them, in fact.Īuriculas come in several types and sub-types, as outlined underneath. Auricula hybrids and cultivars number in the few thousands. Generally-accepted figures fall in the range of 425 to 450. Genus Primula has 392 confirmed or accepted species and a further 534 unassessed ones as a result, the total number of Primula species is between 392 and 926. These plants belong to Family Primulaceae, or the Primrose Family. The vernacular word ‘Auricula’ is an umberella term that encompasses (plants in) Genus Primula, the hybrids developed by crossing Primula auricula and Primula hirsuta, and the innumerable cultivars developed from them. Their diverse varieties mean that these herbaceous perennials are perfect for beds and borders but also for greenhouse cultivation and decorative planters. Auriculas produce flowers in an amazing array of colours and patterns, from essentially ‘block colour’ blooms in bright cheery tones through to highly intricate patterns comprising of daubs, stripes, and gradations in hues both diffuse and striking.

Auricula primula