Primula juliae, Primrose

P. juliae is the species progenitor of many an award-winning hybrid Primula. An alpine from the Caucasus, it loves well-draining, moist, and cool conditions and would thrive in a rock garden (yes, not all rock gardens have to bake in the sun) or woodland circumstance.  It blooms late winter through early spring, thickly covering 2-inch-tall clumps of deeply-veined, rounded leaves with magenta flowers. Petals are notched and the blooms have a small yellow eye. Apparently, P.juliae was discovered by Julia Mloskossjewicz, daughter of the Polish aristocrat, botanist, and forest inspector Ludwig Mloskossjewicz in the Eastern Caucasus in perhaps 1900.  Mature size: 4 inches T x W Minimum temperature: -30° F