.

Flowering period, February to June.

Primula Capitata.

ROUND-HEADED PRIMULA; _Nat. Ord._ PRIMULACEAE.

Hardy, herbaceous, and perennial. Before referring to this Primula in
particular, I would say a word or two respecting hardy and alpine
Primulae in general. It may appear strange and, on my part, somewhat
presumptuous, when I state that this section of the Primula family is
little known. Gardeners, both old and young, who have seen them in
collections, have asked what they were as they stood over them admiring
their lovely flowers. They are, however, very distinct on the one hand
from the primrose (_Primula vulgaris_ or _acaulis_) and polyanthus
(_Primula elatior_) sections; and also from the _P. sinensis_
section--the species with so many fine double and single varieties, much
grown in our greenhouses, and which, of course, are not hardy. The hardy
and distinct species to which I now allude are mostly from alpine
habitats, of stunted but neat forms, widely distinct, and very
beautiful.

The British representatives of this class are _Primula farinosa_ and _P.
Scotica_, but from nearly all parts of the temperate zone these lovely
subjects have been imported. It may not be out of place to name some of
them: _P. Allioni_, France; _P. amoena_, Caucasus; _P. auricula_,
Switzerland; _P. Carniolica_, Carniola; _P. decora_, South Europe; _P.
glaucescens_ and _P. grandis_, Switzerland; _P. glutinosa_, South
Europe; _P. latifolia_, Pyrenees; _P. longifolia_, Levant; _P.
marginata_, Switzerland; _P. minima_, South Europe; _P. nivalis_,
Dahuria; _P. villosa_, Switzerland; _P. viscosa_, Piedmont; _P.
Wulfeniana_, _P. spectabilis_, _P. denticulata_, _P. luteola_, _P.
Tirolensis_, and others, from the Himalayas and North America, all of
which I have proved to be of easy culture, either on rockwork, or in
pots and cold frames, where, though they may be frozen as hard as the
stones amongst which their roots delight to run, they are perfectly
safe. The treatment they will not endure is a confined atmosphere.

_P. capitata_, which is a native of Sikkim, is still considered to be
new in this country, though it was flowered at Kew about thirty years
ago, but it has only become general in its distribution during the past
three or four years.

The flowers are borne on stems which are very mealy, and 6in. to 9in.
high; the head of bloom is round and dense, 11/2in. across. The outer pips
are first developed, and as they fa