THE POTTING SHED UK Jan/Feb Issue 2014 | Page 32

Plant Heritage is delighted to announce the addition of a new National Collection of Primula sieboldii, Japanese cultivars, to its nation-wide programme of National Plant Collections.

2The Collection has been created by Penny and Melvyn Jones in Hasworthy, Devon who first fell in love with the plants when setting up a specialist herb and alpine nursery in 1997.

Melvyn and Penny currently have 75 cultivars in the Collection and are sourcing 9 new ones from Japan in the New Year. Melvyn says it has been not been easy sourcing new varieties. “Japan is a difficult exporter, but we have not given up. We have also sought to link up with other collections in the UK with some success and hope that our new National Collection status will help us help us with this,” he says.

6Primula sieboldii, commonly known as the Japanese Primrose or Cherry Blossom primula is endemic to East Asia and was mentioned in Japan’s first ever gardening book published in 1681, although it was not until the mid 19th Century that botanist Dr Philip Franz von Siebold introduced the species to the Western World.

Speaking on the New Collection Plant Heritage Plant Conservation Officer Mercy Morris said: “Penny & Melvyn are placing particular importance on the provenance and correct identity of the plants in their Collection. This addresses a problem common to all Collection Holders who find that the plants they buy are not necessarily what the label says they are. It is important that growers and gardeners have someone they can go to when they are unsure, and this is what a National Collection is for.”

The Collection can be viewed by appointment at Staddon Farm Nurseries. The Nursery can be contacted by e-mailing: [email protected]. Details of the nursery and Collection can be found at www.pennysprimulas.co.uk

New National Collection of Primula sieboldii

for Plant Heritage