Matt black flowers can sometimes be lost in a garden, but the silver lacing tracing the edges of the petals of this polyanthus – and the cheerful, golden yellow centres – are unlikely to be overlooked.
I often see mahogany coloured primroses with gold edges in local gardens, but the black and silver ones are less common. This specimen was part of a wonderful collection of plants my Mother and I were admiring at Bridgemere Nursery and Garden yesterday.
The old world charm of silver laced and gold laced polyanthus type primroses makes them perfectly at home in traditional cottage gardens. In a nod to their relatively long, sturdy stems and pretty clusters of blooms, they are sometimes called florists’ primroses. They are bee-friendly, providing welcome food for bees venturing out early in the season.
Primulas prefer that elusive, humus-rich soil: the type that is well-drained but doesn’t ever completely dry out. Breeders have developed seed strains of the laced types that should come true. An established clump is easy to propagate by splitting, which will help it thrive.
Primulas have long been collected and shown in England by amateurs who competed for prizes, often copper kettles, which would be hung outside public houses to advertise a competition.
If you’d like to find out more, visit the websites of specialist breeders such as Barnhaven Primroses and the local or national societies (e.g. Northern England or Midland and West England or USA).
Susan Rushton 
This is an amazing flower. If I’d seen a painting of it I wouldn’t believe it was real.
Primulas come in all varieties and colours – edged, mealy, green… you name it, there probably is one somewhere!
Having one of those “This is why I follow your website moments. I have never seen/heard of Primulas before. So pretty. Thank you.
I’ve been really surprised how many people have mentioned not having seen primulas before. I’m glad you like them!
What striking colours.
Thank you, Helen.
As we would say in Maine, that is some flower.
People collect different types and display them in pots.
Such a striking flower.
Wow, those are beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
I’m glad you liked them.
The photos took an age to load on my phone so I was imagining them from your description before I saw them. That was a very pleasant little moment in my day! Thanks.
Thanks for having the patience! Where they like what you’d imagined?
They were, but better!
Wow. I’ve never seen these
I can’t remember ever seeing such a matt black one before.
I saw some of these on a post recently from one of your compatriots and ordered some for my garden. I love the way they look!
I hope they’ll enjoy your climate – it does sound quite different to ours! Good luck!
I checked the planting zones before I ordered and it seemed okay. Fingers crossed!
Wow. I’ve never seen flowers this colour before. These are stunning.
Thanks – I’m glad you like them.
Wow amazing, I’ve never seen a flower like that before. And I see from the comments above that I’m not the only one. Fabulous.
I’m wondering if the macro effect is making them seem bigger than they are. They’re about an inch across (2 cm).
This really is an eye opener Susan, great shot.
Thank you, Karen.
Thanks for the introduction to such a spectacular and unique flower. Your photo is just stunning!
I’m glad you like it. I think they were more popular with florists in the past – I haven’t seen them used often, except once or twice at floristry exhibitions at flower shows.