Skip to content
primula capitata marginal pond plants bp095

Primula capitata (Round-headed Himalayan Primrose)

Bog Plant
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Sold out
£0.00 - £0.00
£0.00
£2.60
£2.60 - £55.58
£2.60
Package Quantity: 1
Size: 7cm Bareroot
Size Information

You can choose plants in various pot sizes. Non-potted plants arrive bare root for you to pot in the specified pot size.

Seasonal Information

Depending on the time of year, pond plants may be supplied fully-leaved, with flowers, or with foliage trimmed back.

Delivery Information

This plant is grown in the UK and sent directly from our tried, tested and trusted plant partner. Delivery price calculated at checkout.

Description of Primula capitata (Round-headed Himalayan Primrose)

Primula capitata is round-headed Himalayan primrose, a small primrose for cool, damp conditions. It’s often grown for its tight flower heads in summer and its powdery-looking leaves. It works well in shaded bog edges and cool raised bog planters.

Appearance

It forms a low rosette of leaves, often with a pale bloom on the surface. Flower stems carry rounded heads of purple flowers. Height is usually 15 to 30cm. In the right conditions it can flower over a long run.

Care Guide

It prefers cool, damp soil and it dislikes hot, dry spells. Shelter and steady moisture matter a lot.

  • Sun: Part shade is best. Avoid hot afternoon sun.
  • Soil: Humus-rich, moisture-holding soil with good drainage.
  • Water: Keep consistently damp, but avoid stagnant water around the crown.
  • Mulch: Leaf mould helps keep roots cool.
  • Propagation: It can self-seed in damp pockets. You can also divide carefully in spring.

If your bog garden gets hot in summer, try it in a shadier corner or in a pot sunk into the bog where you can control conditions.

Suitability for Bog Garden

This suits bog gardens as a small feature plant for cool, shaded edges. It works well near paths where you can see the flower heads up close.

It is best kept away from aggressive spreaders that would smother the rosette.

FAQs

What are marginal pond plants?

Marginal pond plants grow around the shallow edges of ponds, with their roots and crowns in or close to the water while their leaves and flowers grow above the surface. They are ideal for planting on pond shelves and help soften the transition between the pond and surrounding garden.

How deep should marginal pond plants be planted?

The correct planting depth varies between species. Some marginals prefer their crowns only just below the water surface, while others tolerate deeper water. Always check the recommended planting depth for the individual plant rather than placing all marginal plants at the same depth.

Can marginal pond plants grow in a wildlife pond?

Yes. Marginal plants are particularly valuable in wildlife ponds because their foliage provides cover around the pond edge and their stems can give emerging aquatic insects a route out of the water. Flowering species can also provide food for bees, hoverflies and other pollinators.

Do marginal pond plants need aquatic baskets?

Marginal plants are commonly grown in aquatic baskets, especially in lined ponds. Baskets make plants easier to position, lift and divide and can help contain vigorous roots. They should normally be filled with suitable aquatic compost or heavy loam rather than ordinary multipurpose compost.

When should I cut back marginal pond plants?

Dead or dying foliage can be removed as plants die back, particularly in autumn, to reduce the amount of decaying material entering the pond. Vigorous marginal plants can also be thinned or divided when they become overcrowded.

What are the best pond plants for a wildlife pond?

The best wildlife pond plants provide a mixture of underwater cover, surface shade, flowering habitat and places for aquatic insects to emerge. A balanced pond can include oxygenating plants, marginal plants and floating-leaved plants such as water lilies. Native species are particularly useful for supporting UK pond wildlife.

Rated Excellent