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"  Sure, you can plant primroses (Primula auricula) in the ground \u2014 provided you have a rock garden that won&amp;#039;t become too sunny, too hot, or too wet. But for those of us with less ideal conditions (i.e., most of us), these showy spring bloomers will fare better in containers where they can be sheltered from weather extremes and enjoyed for their unusual flower colors, like green and black, and decorative flourishes, such as stripes and two-tone edges. There&amp;#039;s a reason Victorian gardeners collected and displayed these plants as curiosities \u2014 they need to be admired up close. Claire Woods, of Annie&amp;#039;s Annuals and Perennials in Richmond, Calif., first encountered the quirky flowers while looking at old gardening books and was instantly smitten. &amp;quot;I saw these beautiful botanical illustrations,&amp;quot; she says, &amp;quot;but when I looked for the plants I became frustrated, because while common in England, they were not widely available in America.&amp;quot; So Woods and Annie Hayes, the nursery&amp;#039;s owner, began growing primroses: 20 auriculas, plus two rare heirloom polyantha species, chosen for their hardiness. Clustered in pots around a porch, the plants act as a welcome alternative to geraniums and pansies. The flowers&amp;#039; oddity is part of the charm. &amp;quot;They&amp;#039;re a little like pets,&amp;quot; says Woods, &amp;quot;cute, steadfast, and very sweet.&amp;quot; In the Victorian age, growers were so passionate about primroses that they displayed the plants in elaborate theaters, or stages. This more modest version showcases different varieties while also protecting them from the elements. 1. PRIMULA AURICULA &amp;#039;PURPLE RAIN&amp;#039;  Deep purple velvety flowers bloom as semidouble or double blossoms.  2. P. POLYANTHA&amp;#039;VICTORIANA SILVER-LACED BLACK&amp;#039;  This 1600s heirloom bears tiny black-and-white petals.  3. P. AURICULA &amp;#039;CALYPSO&amp;#039; Bright and cheerful, this hot pink-and-yellow variety grows vigorously. 4. P. AURICULA &amp;#039;NEW MOON&amp;#039; This single bloom cultivar has dark, almost black, flowers and leathery leaves. 5. P. AURICULA &amp;#039;FLEMISH FLOOZY&amp;#039; Single magenta flowers feature green stripes that vary per blossom. 6. P. AURICULA &amp;#039;GRAY POUPON&amp;#039; This prolific cultivar produces mustard-color double flowers and chalky leaves. 7. P. AURICULA &amp;#039;ABUELITA&amp;#039; Old-fashioned double flowers range in color from deep russet to peach.  GROWING GUIDE  &amp;quot;Auriculas have a reputation for being fussier than they are,&amp;quot; says Claire Woods. Give them the following conditions, and they should reward you with spring blooms for years: SOIL Plant them in pots with a fast-draining soil mix, topped with a layer of compost. Keep the soil damp but never wet, and remove spent blossoms after flowering to encourage reblooming.  FERTILIZER Apply a balanced one, such as fish emulsion, once in early spring and again a few months later.  LIGHT Stronger light is tolerated in cooler months, but move pots to the shade during summer.  TEMPERATURE Primroses are of alpine origin and hardy in zones 3 to 10, so you can keep plants outside year-round. &amp;quot;They sulk if it&amp;#039;s too hot \u2014 over 90 degrees,&amp;quot; says Woods, &amp;quot;but will recover when the weather cools.&amp;quot;  PROPAGATION Auriculas benefit from annual repotting: Divide specimens in the fall. Remove offshoots at the base and plant them directly in soil. For more information, visit anniesannuals.com. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.countryliving.com/gardening/garden-ideas/advice/a2694/primroses-gardening-0309/>