Primrose 'Chinese New Year'

Garden Ready Plants:
Garden Ready Plants can be planted straight into their final position. If you can't plant them immediately, keep them in a bright, sheltered spot and make sure they don't dry out.

Plant in fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Water the plants before planting if the rootballs feel dry, position them at the same depth they were growing in their tray, gently firm the soil or compost around the roots and water thoroughly.

Pots and containers:
Choose a container with good drainage holes and fill with good-quality multipurpose compost. Gently firm the compost rather than packing it down tightly, and leave around 2–3cm below the rim to make watering easier.

For a 25–30cm (10–12in) pot, use around 3–5 plants, spacing them evenly so they have room to fill out and create a full display.

Water thoroughly after planting and check containers regularly, particularly during mild, dry or windy weather. Keep the compost moist but not waterlogged.

Top tip:
Make the most of the fragrance by keeping a pot near a doorway, path or seating area where you can enjoy the flowers and their scent up close.

The fiery red and gold flowers of 'Chinese New Year' look particularly effective alongside plants in simpler or contrasting colours. Try white or deep purple pansies and violas, or add bellis for a completely different flower shape.

Spring-flowering bulbs are natural partners too. Dwarf daffodils echo the golden tones in the flowers, while crocuses and compact tulips can add extra height and contrasting colour.

In containers, bulbs can be planted beneath your primroses in autumn. They'll grow up through the display as spring approaches, extending the interest without taking up additional space.

Top tip:
The flowers already have plenty of colour and detail, so keep companion planting fairly simple. Deep purple, white or golden yellow will allow those fiery red blooms to remain the star of the display.

Keep plants watered during dry spells, particularly those growing in pots and containers, but avoid leaving the soil or compost waterlogged.

Remove faded flowers by following the flower stem down towards the base of the plant and pinching or snipping it off. This keeps plants looking tidy and encourages them to put their energy into fresh flowers rather than developing seed.

Remove yellowing or damaged leaves as you find them to keep the foliage tidy and maintain good airflow around the plant.

Plants growing in containers can be given a liquid feed while actively growing and flowering, following the instructions on your chosen feed.

Top tip:
Double flowers have lots of tightly packed petals, so check them after prolonged wet weather and remove any blooms that have become damaged or soggy. This keeps the display looking fresh as new buds open.

Professional Grower Plugs:
Supplied in trays of 20 or 60, Professional Grower Plugs offer excellent value and are ideal for gardeners who enjoy growing plants on themselves. These young plants arrive ready to be potted into 9cm pots and grown on in a bright, sheltered position before being hardened off and planted into their final position.

Garden Ready Plants:
Supplied in trays of 12, Garden Ready Plants are our largest plug plants and a great choice if you want quicker results. Carefully grown on before dispatch, they're ready to plant straight into beds, borders, pots and containers.