Auriculas have an old-fashioned quality: something about the green flowered and mealy grey flowered ones on display at this year’s N.A.P.S. show mades them seem as if any decent Renaissance poet ought to have written a verse or two in their honour.
One of the attractions of a flower show for me is the chance to practice photography on some unusual, exceptionally well-presented flowers.
My knowledge of show auriculas is limited, but I couldn’t help feeling that it would take an expert to spot the differences between some of the green ones.
The wonderfully named Primula auricula ‘Kermit’ seemed almost indistinguishable from Primula auricula ‘Prague’ without close scrutiny: the green edge was a touch broader and the black feathering was a little less prominent and more confined to the centre.
But then, the hybridiser focuses on nuances. Little details matter when the flowers are coin-sized. I can imagine that some cultivars are more reliable, more readily available and so more suited to the show bench.
A green, double auricula ticks off two novelty boxes. The doubles always make me think of roses. I’d love to see a rambling rose with flowers like this little beauty!
Primula ‘Limelight’ appeared to be a reliable auricula for the show bench as several exhibitors featured it at the N.A.P.S. show. The unusual colour prompts another memory – of the ice cream we were sometimes given for dinner at primary school. A little on the greyish side of cream, it was slightly sticky and was served in small (all too small), flat squares. Even as a child I knew it had something artificial about it, but it was beyond delicious.
If you fancy seeing more show bench standard Primula auriculas, check out my auricula gallery from the N.A.P.S. Northern Section’s Cheadle Show.
This post was prompted by Sunshine’s Macro Monday and Cee’s Flower of the Day.
Susan Rushton 
While I probably don’t possess the attention to detail to grow these primulas, I sure love looking at them! They are irresistible!
They are the pets of the gardening world.
These are stunning. I’m not familiar with Auriculas — off to learn more.
They have a wonderful history in my part of the world.
They’re fascinating. I started reading about their cultivation and oops … where did my morning go.
Sorry! 🙂
Don’t apologise! I love learning, especially about plants.
These are so cool!
Green flowers are always a bit special – these manage to be showy as well as green.
Lovely photos – I especially like ‘Lincoln Cuckoo’. It looks almost as if it has a slight touch of frost. 🙂
It does. The flowers look very sturdy too.
Beautiful. Auriculas are fascinating.
They are very decorative when you see them all together.
Gorgeous photos of these tiny flowers. I have six myself, but only one flowered this year and I know I’m not looking after them properly. I must do better!
Good luck for next year!
How interesting. I appreciate the patience it takes to breed flowers to be somewhat different than the known ones – and to remember all these sometimes minor details. Thanks for sharing.
I find plant breeders fascinating too. The society has very specific rules about how show plants should be patterned and coloured – a bit like Crufts for dogs.
I have never seen anything like this, gorgeous!
These are particularly fine ones, neatly preened for the show.
Whoa! I’ve never seen these before and they are wonderful. 😊
They are a historic plant, grown, exchanged and shown for hundreds of years as a bonding exercise and safe(ish) form of competition.
Interesting! Definitely need to find out more about them. Thanks! 😊
A beautiful selection
There were many that caught my eye, but some were easier to get to to photograph than others.