Primrose Primula Belarina Amethyst Ice = 'Kerbelpicotee' (PBR) (Belarina Series) (Pr/prim/d)
ABOUT
The Primula Belarina Amethyst Ice is a delightful perennial known for its vibrant and showy double flowers that resemble miniature roses. The flowers boast a captivating blend of soft lavender to purple hues, often highlighted by a delicate edge of silvery white, giving them a frosted appearance. Nestled atop short stocky stems, these blooms create a lush, textured look with their densely packed petals. The plant itself forms a neat, compact rosette of crinkly, bright green leaves that provide a fresh and tidy backdrop to the spectacular floral display, which exudes elegance and charm. The leaves have a slightly ruffled edge, contributing to the plant's overall ornamental value. The appearance of this plant makes it a popular choice for garden enthusiasts looking to add a touch of refined beauty to their garden tapestry.
About this plant
- Names
Family
Primulaceae
Synonyms
Amethyst Ice Belarina Primrose, Belarina Amethyst Ice Double Primula
Common names
Primula Belarina Amethyst Ice 'Kerbelpicotee' (PBR) (Belarina Series) (Pr/prim/d).
- Toxicity
To humans
Primrose, specifically the variety Primula Belarina Amethyst Ice, is not considered highly toxic to humans. However, handling them can sometimes cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction due to the presence of primin, a compound found in the plant. If ingested, it might cause mild stomach upset, but significant toxicity is uncommon. It is always advisable to be cautious and avoid ingesting plants that are not meant for human consumption.
To pets
Primrose, specifically the variety Primula Belarina Amethyst Ice, can potentially cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal upset in pets if ingested. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling. It is not typically considered severely toxic to pets, but it is always best to prevent your pets from ingesting this or any other non-food plants to avoid any possible adverse effects.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
6-8 inches (15-20 cm)
Spread
6-8 inches (15-20 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Europe
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: Produces lush rosettes of double-flowers with a unique picotee edge, enhancing garden beauty.
- Long Flowering Period: Offers an extended blooming period, often from late winter through to spring.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it has a degree of tolerance to dry conditions, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Cold Hardiness: Capable of surviving and thriving in cooler temperatures, making it suitable for many temperate climates.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care beyond basic watering and occasional feeding, making it ideal for novice gardeners.
- Compact Growth: Its compact size is perfect for borders, containers, and small garden spaces.
- Slug Resistant: Generally resistant to slugs and snails, which are common pests in gardens.
- Deer and Rabbit Resistant: Tends not to be preferred by deer and rabbits, protecting it from nibbling damage.
- Attracts Pollinators: Flowers can attract beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Photography Prop: Primula's vibrant colors and dense blooms make it a popular choice for photographers who want to add a splash of color and texture to their springtime garden photos.
- Edible Garnish: The flowers of the Primula are edible, adding a colorful touch to salads and desserts, although they do not contribute much flavor.
- Craft Projects: Pressed Primula flowers can be used in crafting, such as in making bookmarks, greeting cards, or decoupage projects.
- Fairy Gardens: Due to their compact size and enchanting appearance, these plants are perfect for creating whimsical fairy gardens in small indoor or outdoor spaces.
- Wedding Decor: Primula flowers are sometimes used in wedding arrangements, from table centerpieces to bridal bouquet accents, for a touch of early spring beauty.
- Dye Production: The petals of Primula plants can be used to produce a natural dye for fabrics or papers, yielding subtle hues.
- Teaching Tool: Primula can be used in educational settings, such as schools or workshops, to teach about plant life cycles and seasonal blooming patterns.
- Artistic Inspiration: Artists may choose to paint or draw Primula as a subject to study the way light and shadow play on the petals and leaves.
- Container Gardening: Because they are compact and easy to care for, Primula make good candidates for container gardening, providing springtime colors to patios and balconies.
- Therapeutic Horticulture: The care and cultivation of Primula offer therapeutic benefits, including stress reduction and an improved sense of well-being.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The Primrose is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Primrose is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Youth: The Primula, also commonly known as Primrose, is often associated with the concept of youth and eternal existence due to its early spring blooming, which symbolizes the beginning of life and new beginnings.
- Renewal: As a spring flower, the Primrose signifies renewal and the refreshing of ideas due to the timing of its appearance, heralding the end of winter and the arrival of spring.
- Hope: The vibrant colors and early blooming of the Primrose provide a sense of hope, especially after long, dark winters, representing the idea that good times will come again.
- Love and Affection: In the language of flowers, or floriography, Primroses can indicate a form of love or affection, often suggesting that someone can't live without the other, much like the Primrose is a staple sign of spring.
- Protection: Folklore often attributes the Primrose with protective properties, as these flowers were thought to keep fairies and other malevolent spirits at bay.
- Devotion and Virtue: The Primrose's nature of returning each spring can be symbolic of devotion, and it is often associated with qualities of virtue and goodness.
- Water
The common name for Primula Belarina Amethyst Ice is Double Primrose. It should be watered thoroughly once the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, typically once every 7 to 10 days, depending on environmental conditions. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, using about 16 ounces of water for a standard 6-inch pot each time you water. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. During the winter, reduce watering frequency as the plant's growth slows.
- Light
Double Primrose thrives in bright, indirect light but can tolerate partial shade. It's best positioned in a spot where it receives morning sunlight with shelter from the intense heat of the afternoon sun, such as an east-facing window or a location with filtered light.
- Temperature
Double Primrose prefers cooler temperatures and will flourish in conditions between 40°F and 75°F. It can tolerate temperatures down to 20°F but should be protected from hard freezes. The ideal growing temperature is around 60°F to 70°F.
- Pruning
Prune Double Primrose to remove spent flowers and encourage further blooming, usually after the initial spring bloom. Pruning should be done carefully with clean scissors or pruners to cut off dead or fading blooms. Regular deadheading will promote continuous flowering. The best time for pruning is immediately after the blooms fade.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
Belarina Primrose thrives in well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6.0 to 7.0. A mix containing peat, loam, and a bit of sand or perlite promotes good drainage while retaining adequate moisture.
- Repotting
Belarina Primroses typically need repotting every 1-2 years. Choose a slightly larger pot each time to allow for growth and to refresh the nutrient content of the soil.
- Humidity & Misting
Belarina Primroses prefer high humidity levels, between 50-70%, which mimics their native woodland habitats.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Place Belarina Primrose in bright, indirect light and maintain high humidity.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
Belarina Primrose is suitable for USDA zones 4-8.
- Life cycle
Primula Belarina, also known as Belarina Amethyst Ice, begins its life as a seed, typically sowed in late winter to early spring under greenhouse conditions. After germination, seedlings are transplanted and grow into a rosette of lush, green leaves, preparing to enter a vegetative stage. As temperatures increase in spring, the plant enters the budding phase; flower buds develop and bloom into striking double flowers with a blend of purple and white hues, which is the hallmark of the 'Kerbelpicotee' variety. The flowering stage usually occurs in late spring and can extend into early summer, attracting pollinators that facilitate seed production. After flowering, the plant enters a period of senescence as energy is transferred to the developing seeds, and if conditions permit, some Primula Belarina may enter a dormancy phase to survive through adverse conditions such as extreme cold or drought, resuming growth with the return of favorable conditions. Finally, once the seeds mature, they are dispersed to give rise to new plants, completing the cycle.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Primula Belarina Amethyst Ice, commonly known as the Belarina Primrose, is most effectively propagated through division. This method is commonly employed in the late summer or early fall, after the blooming season has ended and when the plant is entering dormancy. To propagate by division, carefully lift the entire plant out of the ground using a garden fork, making sure to keep as much of the root system intact as possible. Then, with your hands or a sharp knife, gently separate the plant into smaller clumps, ensuring that each division has a portion of the root system and several shoots. Replant the divisions at the same soil level they were previously and water them thoroughly to help establish the new roots. Ensure that each division is spaced approximately 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) apart to give them ample room to grow.