The Flowers

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