Primula auricula | bear's ear

Primula auricula is one of the easiest alpine primulas. It is found naturally growing in limestone rock crevices, but it adapts easily to life in the garden given the correct conditions: good, well-drained, neutral or limey soil in part shade. A raised bed or north facing slope would be ideal. 

Seeds were sold to us as the 'hard-to-find-true species' with clear yellow, fragrant tubular flowers. Our plants have yet to bloom (we don't expect them to for another three years), but we hope that is true! Plants should be grown away from other auriculas as they have habit of hybridizing. 

Zones: 3 to 8 
Family: Primulaceae
Type: Perennial
Height: 3 to 6 in.
Spread: 12 to 18 in.
Exposure: part shade
Soil: well-drained
Bloom Time: April to June 
Native Range: European Alps, Carpathians, and Apennines