From 16th century Huguenot refugees, to the present day Auricula growing is a special kind of horticulture – full of tradition and history – providing the origin of the word ‘florist’. The plants need careful tending throughout the year, culminating in a theatrical display of tiny jewel flowers in spring, which are lined up on a miniature stage complete with velvet curtain. Historically the prize for the most perfect flower is a copper kettle.
Here are some of the flowers in our garden. Auriculas grown and photographed by Richard Duffy-Howard. Click on any of the pictures to enter the gallery and see the detail…
First up, our special guest, Primula auricula Loudhailer, grown by Drointon Nurseries 2017
Primula auricula Loudhailer
Primula auricula Loudhailer
Primula auricula Loudhailer
Primula auricula Loudhailer and friends
2018 flowers
T A Hadfield
Rowena
Reddown Tickled Pink
Honey Dawn
Harmony
Dale’s Red
Winifred
Taffeta
Eden Greenfinch
Trouble
Sumo
Rowena
Powder Puff
Old Gold
Lazy River
Helen Ruanne
Clouded Yellow
Primula auricula Winnifred
Primula auricula Winifred
from a Rotary Club plant sale
Primula auricula Strawberry Fields
Primula auricula Sirius
Primula auricula Sherbet Lemon
Primula auricula Pinkie Dawn
Primula auricula Moon Fairy
Primula auricula Lincoln Bullion
Primula auricula Helen Ruanne
Dr Lennon’s White
Primula auricula Dilly Dilly
Primula auricula Curry Blend
Clockwise from bottom left: Lazy River, Winifred, Powder Puff, Minstrel, Chaffinch, Dr Lennon’s White and Blackberry Crush.
Brasso, Winnifred and Eileen
Primula auricula Clouded Yellow
Primula auricula Blackberry Crush
Primula auricula Trafalgar Square
Primula auricula War Paint
Primula auricula Strawberry Fields
Primula auricula Red Wire
Primula auricula Moon Fairy
Primula auricula First Light
first out of the blocks
31.03.2018
2017 flowers
First Light
Starling
Sweet Pastures
Sweet Pastures and Loudhailer
Primula auricula Loudhailer and friends
Lincoln Bullion
Primula auricula Hettie Wolf
Clouded Yellow and Rotary Club
Eden Goldfinch
Lazy River
Rowena
Coffee
George Swinford’s Leathercoat
Primula auricula Arthur Delbridge
Sirius
Old Gold
Powder Puff
Helen Ruane
Winifred
Primula auricula Scorther
Rotary Club
Red Wire
Pinkie Dawn
Dr Lennon’s White
Dilly Dilly
Conservative
Clouded Yellow
Helen Barter
Primula auricula Rosebud
Primula auricula Curry Blend
Primula auricula Moon Fairy
Primula auricula Lavender Lady
Primula auricula Clouded Yellow
Primula auricula Athene
Primula auricula Brownie
Primula auricula Scorcher
2016 flowers
Rotary Club Mystery
Lincoln Bullion
Grey Monarch
Chance, luck, diligence and hope; all in the pursuit of the perfect little jewel flowers, sometimes with a dusting of farina – sherbet scented – and historically known as Bear’s Ears (the leaves…or maybe the teddy bear ear petals…?)
Previously…
Rondy
Dales Red
Lincoln Bullion
Fleet Street
Eden Greenfinch
Gwen Baker
Brownie
Scorcher
Primula auricula Lincoln Bullion
Primula auricula Scorcher
Primula auricula
Margaret Martin
Mazetta Stripe
Clouded Yellow
Helen Barter
War Paint
Grey Monarch
Gwen Baker pip
Primula auricula Robin Hood in the sunshine
Primula auricula Crinoline
Primula auricula Rajah
Primula auricula Rowena
Primula auricula Moon Fairy
Primula auricula Moon Fairy in the sun
Dr Lennon’s White
“Aspects of the blooms have appealed to something deep inside human beings…sometimes something more mysterious, a proportion and form which derives from the apparently instinctive feeling that certain measures and shapes represent an aspect of our universe which is difficult to explain.”
Allan Guest: “The Auricula. History, Cultivation and Varieties” Garden Press 2009 p7.
Rich & Lou Duffy-Howard – The Auricula Suite
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