Primrose 'Husky Mix'

Professional Grower Plugs:
Pot your plugs on as soon as possible after arrival, ideally within 3 days. If you can't pot them on straight away, keep them moist in a bright, sheltered position.

Before potting, check that the compost is moist. If the plugs feel dry, stand the tray in shallow water for a short time to allow them to take up moisture from below.

Fill 9cm pots with good-quality multipurpose or potting compost. Make a planting hole with a pencil or narrow dibber, carefully ease each plug from its tray and plant at the same depth it was growing in the tray. Gently firm the compost around the plug to ensure good contact with the roots, but avoid pressing it down too firmly as this can reduce drainage and the air spaces roots need. Water thoroughly using a watering can fitted with a fine rose.

Grow the plants on in a bright, sheltered position such as a greenhouse or cold frame, keeping the compost moist but not waterlogged. Allow around 3–4 weeks for the plants to establish, although they may take longer in cooler conditions. Once they're putting on healthy new growth and have developed a good root system, they're ready to be hardened off.

Gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions over 7–10 days, initially placing them outside in a sheltered position during the day and bringing them back under cover at night. Once hardened off, plant into their final position in pots, window boxes, beds or borders.

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.

Space Primrose 'Husky Mix' around 15–20cm apart. In a 30cm (12in) pot, around 3–5 plants will create a full display while still giving each plant room to develop.

For larger containers and window boxes, keep roughly the same spacing and arrange the plants evenly across the surface. If you're combining them with other bedding or spring bulbs, use fewer primroses so the container doesn't become overcrowded.

Water thoroughly after planting and keep the compost evenly moist, particularly during mild or dry weather, but don't leave the container standing waterlogged.

Top tip:
For the strongest visual impact, group several Husky primroses together rather than dotting single plants around a large container. Their compact habit works especially well in generous blocks of colour.

Primrose 'Husky Mix' pairs beautifully with other cool-season favourites, adding a low layer of bright colour beneath taller plants.

Combine it with bellis or violas for contrasting flower shapes, or use wallflowers towards the centre or back of larger containers to add extra height.

Spring-flowering bulbs such as dwarf daffodils, crocuses and tulips are also excellent partners. Plant the bulbs beneath or between your primroses in autumn and they'll emerge through the display in spring, adding another layer of colour and height.

Top tip:
Use Husky primroses towards the front or outer edge of a mixed container, with taller plants behind them. Their neat, compact growth helps create a full layered display without hiding neighbouring plants.

Keep primroses evenly watered during dry spells, particularly those growing in pots and window boxes. They prefer compost that stays moist without becoming waterlogged.

As flowers fade, pinch or snip off the spent flower stem near the base of the plant. Removing the whole stem rather than just the petals keeps plants tidy and encourages them to put their energy into fresh growth and flowers.

Remove any yellowing or damaged leaves as they appear to keep the plant looking neat and improve air movement around the crown.

Container-grown primroses can be given a liquid feed while actively growing. There's little need to feed during very cold weather when growth has slowed; resume as active growth picks up towards spring.

Top tip:
Primroses dislike drying out completely, so check containers regularly even during cooler weather. Pots positioned close to walls or beneath overhangs can stay much drier than the surrounding garden.

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 or window boxes.