Daderot, no rights reserved (CC0) · Wikimedia Commons

Primula poissonii

Poisson's primrose

SW China (Yunnan, Sichuan; alpine meadows, moist grasslands 8000-13000 ft / 2400-4000 m; more drought tolerant than other candelabras)

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Container Friendly

SunPart Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 5–8

Overview

Primula poissonii is a deciduous perennial reaching 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) tall with a spread of 10-15 inches (25-38 cm) and an upright habit from a basal rosette. A candelabra primrose, the flowers are arranged in 2-5 tiered whorls along a stiff stem. Individual flowers are 0.6-0.8 inch (15-20 mm) wide, deep magenta-pink to purplish-pink with a prominent yellow to orange eye. Blooms June-July—later than P. japonica. The oblong to oblanceolate leaves 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long, medium green, smooth-edged to finely toothed, are somewhat smaller and narrower than P. japonica. Growth rate is moderate. Hardy to zone 5. Named for Jules Poisson, French botanist. More tolerant of drier conditions than most candelabra primroses—adapted to seasonally moist rather than permanently wet sites.

Native Range

Primula poissonii is native to southwestern China—Yunnan and Sichuan provinces—in alpine meadows and moist grasslands at 8,000-13,000 feet (2,400-4,000 m).

Suggested Uses

Planted in borders, woodland gardens, or at stream edges at 10-15 inch (25-38 cm) spacing. The most drought-tolerant candelabra primrose—suits sites that dry somewhat seasonally. Later blooming than P. japonica (June-July). Smaller scale. Not suitable for truly dry sites, but more adaptable than other candelabra types.

How to Identify

Distinguished from P. japonica by the slightly smaller size, the later bloom time (June-July versus May-June), the more prominent yellow-orange eye, and the greater tolerance of seasonal dryness. Distinguished from P. beesiana by the deeper magenta-pink (versus rose-pink to lilac-pink) flower color. The smaller candelabra primrose with deep magenta-pink flowers with prominent orange eye, blooming later than P. japonica, tolerating seasonally drier conditions.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 1'6"

Width/Spread10" - 1'3"

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Summer

Tiered whorls (2-5 levels) of deep magenta-pink to purplish-pink flowers 0.6-0.8 inch (15-20 mm) wide with yellow to orange eye, June-July. Bloom duration 4-5 weeks. Blooms 2-4 weeks later than P. japonica.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Deep magenta-pink to purplish-pink with yellow to orange eye; 0.6-0.8 inch; tiered candelabra whorls 2-5 levels; Jun-Jul

Foliage Description

Medium green; oblong to oblanceolate 4-8 inches; smooth-edged to finely toothed; smaller than P. japonica

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade

Requires 3-6 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

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in partial shade in moist, humus-rich soil (pH 5.5-7.0). Hardy to zone 5. More tolerant of seasonal dryness than other candelabra primroses—adapted to sites that are moist in spring and summer but may dry somewhat in autumn. Still requires consistent moisture during active growth.

Pruning

Remove spent flower stems after bloom. Allow foliage to die back naturally in autumn. Self-sows in favorable conditions.

Pruning Schedule

summer

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 2 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets