Book Corner > Old Florists' Flowers

Collecting Antique Plants. The History and Culture of the Old Florists' Flowers

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NightHawk:
They both look lovely.

I can never remember which are primroses and which are polyanthus.  ::)

Up untiI recently I only had two varieties of primulas, a blue variety and a cream colur with a light yellow centre variety. Now I have another two varieties of a deep orange and 2 that are a bright yellow and 2 that are a sort of wishy washy red.

They are all about due to be lifted and divided I am just waiting for them to stop flowering so nicely. I should get a large number to be added to the front garden.

Kathy :-*

ideasguy:
In my reckoniong, Primroses are as the name implies, prim and demure. Flowers are modest, but absolutely beautiful.
Polyanthus are more brash - larger flowers, almost covering the foliage in entirity -  a blaze of colour.

I dont know if thats "in general". What do you folk think?

Personally, I prefer the Primroses.

greenfinger:
The already quoted Roy Genders has written a lot about the different Primulas.
The history of the auriculas is a very interesting one: in the 16th century Flemish (!) weavers fled from the Southern Netherlands during the religion wars and they brought their plants with them. Their leisure time and facilities were limited and caring for these "Florists' Plants" was en vogue till the midst of the 19th century. The Industrial Revolution was on cruise speed and the weavers were no longer their own bosses: factory work instead of homework. The plants demanding a lot of observation and attention disappeared. Only a few specialists continued. Now a lot of these plants return back from the UK to Flanders.

NightHawk:
I recently watched a tv program from the 80's early 90's called The Victorian Flower Garden and they talked about Auriculas and how during Victorian times they were very very popular and were usually displayed on a tiered shelf.

So its not hard to imagine that the embroiderers of the past were keen to use the plants and flowers of the time.

It is odd how plants can be in and out of fashion the way they are.

Personally I prefer the more delicate primulas. I think I agree with the Victorians that Auriculas need to be displayed by themselves to be fully appreciated.

Kathy :-*

greenfinger:
It seems there are still two genuine Auricula Theatres in Great Britain.
Apart from this I found the following website: http://dereksauriculas.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/index.html
By the way: the presentator of that program about the victorian flower garden didn't he pass away last year? I think I read about it in "The Garden" of the RHS.

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