Primula beesiana

Bee's primrose

SW China (Yunnan, Sichuan; moist meadows, streamsides, boggy areas 6000-10000 ft / 1800-3000 m; Bees Nursery/George Forrest introduction)

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Fragrant (light)Container Friendly

SunPart Shade

WaterHigh

HardinessZones 4–8

Overview

Primula beesiana is a deciduous perennial reaching 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall with a spread of 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) and an upright habit from a basal rosette. A candelabra primrose, the flowers are arranged in 4-8 tiered whorls along a stiff, upright stem—the candelabra form is diagnostic of this section of Primula spp.. Individual flowers are 0.6-0.8 inch (15-20 mm) wide, rose-pink to lilac-pink with a yellow eye, fragrant. Blooms May-June. The oblong to oblanceolate leaves 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) long, medium green, form a broad basal rosette. Growth rate is moderate. Hardy to zone 4. Named for Bees Nursery in Chester, England, which introduced many Chinese primulas in the early 1900s from seed collected by George Forrest. Requires consistently moist to wet conditions—a streamside or bog primrose.

Native Range

Primula beesiana is native to southwestern China—Yunnan and Sichuan provinces—in moist meadows, streamsides, and boggy areas at 6,000-10,000 feet (1,800-3,000 m).

Suggested Uses

Planted along streamsides, at bog margins, or in rain gardens at 12-15 inch (30-38 cm) spacing. Candelabra primrose with tiered rose-pink whorls. Requires consistently moist to wet soil. Naturalizes along water features. Not suitable for dry sites, well-drained borders, or areas without reliable moisture.

How to Identify

Distinguished from P. bulleyana by the rose-pink to lilac-pink (versus deep orange to orange-yellow) flower color. Both are candelabra primroses with tiered whorls, similar size, and similar habitat requirements. Distinguished from P. auricula by the tall candelabra habit (versus compact rosette), the thin green (versus thick farina-coated gray-green) leaves, and the wet soil requirement. The candelabra primrose with rose-pink to lilac-pink flowers with yellow eyes in tiered whorls.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'

Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

pink

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Spring Summer

Tiered whorls (4-8 levels) of rose-pink to lilac-pink flowers 0.6-0.8 inch (15-20 mm) wide with yellow eyes, May-June. Bloom duration 4-5 weeks. Flowers open sequentially from lowest to highest whorl.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Rose-pink to lilac-pink with yellow eye; 0.6-0.8 inch; tiered candelabra whorls 4-8 levels; May-Jun

Foliage Description

Medium green; oblong to oblanceolate 6-10 inches; broad basal rosette

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade

Requires 3-5 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam peat silt

Drainagewet

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in partial shade in consistently moist to wet, humus-rich soil (pH 5.5-7.0). Hardy to zone 4. Requires constant moisture—thrives at stream edges, bog margins, and in rain gardens. Intolerant of drought. Does not tolerate dry conditions.

Pruning

Remove spent flower stems after bloom. Allow foliage to die back naturally in autumn. Can self-sow in favorable moist conditions.

Pruning Schedule

summer

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 2 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets

Perennial