Bulley’s primula (candelabra primula) Primula bulleyana
Bulley’s primula (candelabra primula) (Primula bulleyana) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Primulaceae family, native to South-west China (Yunnan, Sichuan). It grows 50–70 cm (20–28 in) tall and 30–45 cm (12–18 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about -25 °C (-13 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
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Bulley’s primula (candelabra primula) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Primulaceae |
| Mature height | 50–70 cm (20–28 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–45 cm (12–18 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -25 °C (-13 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | South-west China (Yunnan, Sichuan) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Is Bulley’s primula (candelabra primula) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: leaves
Some primulas irritate the skin of sensitive people; eating them may cause mild stomach upset in pets.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Bulley’s primula (candelabra primula)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Questions about Bulley’s primula (candelabra primula)
- How far apart should I plant Bulley’s primula (candelabra primula)?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–45 cm (12–18 in).
- Does Bulley’s primula (candelabra primula) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Bulley’s primula (candelabra primula) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Bulley’s primula (candelabra primula)?
- It tolerates about -25 °C (-13 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does Bulley’s primula (candelabra primula) flower?
- From about June for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Bulley’s primula (candelabra primula) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Some primulas irritate the skin of sensitive people; eating them may cause mild stomach upset in pets.
- What grows well with Bulley’s primula (candelabra primula)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Bulley’s primula (candelabra primula). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- A plant of the cool, misty Himalayan and west Chinese mountains: it wants moist, humus-rich soil and shelter from hot sun and drying wind, and sulks in hot, humid summers.
- A candelabra primula: tiers of orange flowers opening from red buds, whorl above whorl up the stem in early summer. Ideal for a bog garden or stream side, where it self-seeds. Found by George Forrest in 1906 and named after his sponsor Arthur Bulley of Bees nursery, who founded Ness Botanic Gardens.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Primrose Primula vulgaris
- Ivy-leaved cyclamen Cyclamen hederifolium
- Creeping Jenny Lysimachia nummularia
- Auricula Primula auricula
- Cowslip Primula veris
- Giant Himalayan cowslip Primula florindae
- Florist’s cyclamen Cyclamen persicum
- Coral ardisia (manryō) Ardisia crenata