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orchid primrose

Primula vialii

Regular price
$8.99
Regular price
Sale price
$8.99
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FALL 2025. Sign up for the waitlist to be notified when available for purchase.

PLEASE KNOW: Plants shipped in early spring are likely to arrive dormant.

This very un-primrose-like primula is stunning! Fragrant tubular two-toned red and purple flowers rise above classic primula foliage from June to July. Completely unlike any other plant we know. 

Tricky to grow, but worth the effort. P. vialii can be found growing in cool, moist meadows, evergreen woods, and rocky meadows in its native China. It requires abundant moisture through the growing season but must remain dry through winter. Best grown in a partially shaded, sharply drained, humus rich raised bed. Can easily be kept dry enough through winter using evergreen boughs. 

Southern gardeners: this beauty is best avoided. It is not happy in areas with excessively hot summers.

Zones: 5 to 8
Family: Primulaceae
Type: Perennial
Height: 12 to 24 in.
Spread: 9 to 12 in.
Exposure: part shade
Soil: moist but well-drained, humus-rich
Bloom Time: June to July
Native Range: south-central China

Special Characteristics
  • Deer-resistant
  • Juglone tolerant
  • Snail Resistant
image credits

Ragnhild&Neil Crawford from SwedenCC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Meneerke bloemCC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
KENPEICC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Primula vialii
Primula vialii
Primula vialii

Ordering information

Preorders

You may place your order anytime to reserve plants for spring 2025 shipment. If you place multiple orders, we will combine plants into one box (or as many as needed) and any extra shipping charges will be refunded when we ship.

We will begin shipping plants as soon as plants begin to emerge from dormancy in spring. Woodies will likely begin shipping in April. Perennials will likely begin shipping in May. If ordering multiple varieties, we will hold until all plants are ready to ship together. If you would like to receive plants sooner please reach out.

We will check in with you a week before shipping to make sure you receive your plants at a time that is convenient for you.

Shipping

Live plants ship in spring and fall only. Plants may ship dormant, depending on variety and season. Shipping costs are most reasonable when bundling like size plants.

  • 4-inch: 1-6 plants ship for $15.00 / 7-13 plants ship for $18.00 / 14-30 plants ship for $40.00
  • 1-gal: 1-2 plants ship for $18.00 / 3-4 plants ship for $25.00 / 5-6 plants ship for $40.00
  • trees & shrubs: $27.00-$40.00 each, height dependent
  • seeds: $6.75 or free with orders over $15.00

We regret that we cannot ship internationally or to the following states: AK, AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, or WA.

Read more about our shipping policies here.

Nursery pick up

Plants can be collected from the nursery Monday through Sunday from 10am-4pm in Spring, Summer, and Fall. We prefer 24 hour notice to get your order together and will email you when ready for collection.

If you place a SPRING 2025 PREORDER, we will contact you in spring when your plants are ready for collection. Woodies will likely become available for collection in April. Perennials will likely become available in May. If ordering multiple varieties, we will hold until all plants are ready to be collected together.

Plant Sizes

We most commonly use the following pot sizes for perennials:

  • 4-inch pot: 3.5" H x 3.5" W x 3.5" D
  • 2-quart pot: 6" H x 5.25" W x 5.25" D
  • 1-gallon pot: 6.87" H x 8" Dia (this is a true one gallon pot, not the smaller 'trade' one gallon pot used by many nurseries)

Check out our illustrated pot size guide here.

Representative trees & shrubs are photographed in their pots and posted on each plant page.

Sustainability

Sustainability is at the heart of what we do at The Old Dairy. We grow all of our plants outdoors without the use of chemicals, fertilizers, carbon fuels, or peat.

Many of our perennials are grown in the ground and dug upon order (this is especially true for larger sizes). This practice allows us to grow stronger, healthier plants using native soil, and ultimately reduces our impact on the environment.

Our open-pollinated seeds are collected from plants in our mother beds, which have never been treated with chemicals or sprays of any kind.

Read all about our sustainable practices here.

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view this plant in our garden

Primula vialii |

seedling image

Primula vialii

We are slowly creating a seedling image library to help make weeding easier.
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