Primula 'Dawn Ansell'
JACK-IN-THE-GREEN, JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT, DOUBLE WHITE ENGLISH PRIMROSE
syn. N/A
Family: Primulaceae
Pronounced: PRIM-yew-la

Quick Jumps
Growing Guide
Rainy Side Notes
GROWING GUIDE

Origin:
Garden.
Plant group:
Perennials.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: 1-24.
USDA zones: 5-8.
Heat zones: 7-5.
Mature size:
Height: 4-6 inches (10-15 cm).
Width: 6-8 inches (15-20 cm).
Flowering period:
March to April.
Flowering attributes:
White, rose-like, double flowers, with yellow in the center that are nestled in the foliage.
Leaf attributes:
Evergreen leaves look like short, green, romaine-lettuce-like leaves.
Growth habit:
Rosette forming.
Light:
Partial, dappled shade and full sun (full sun in cool summer climates only).
Soil:
Moist, humus rich, well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic soil.
Feeding:
In spring, side dress with compost, manure, or leaf mold and a complete organic fertilizer.
Propagation methods:
Divide after flowering.
Divide in autumn in mild winter areas.
Rainy Side Notes



Bred by prominent Welsh breeder Cecil Jones and raised from seed, Primula ‘Dawn Ansell’ is very hardy and easy to grow in our mild climate in the Pacific Northwest—provided you keep it well watered during our summer drought. Give this petite perennial a position in partial shade, with well-drained, moist soil, rich in humus, and they will grace your garden for many years to come. Divide every few years to increase your stock and give away extras to friends.
One of its common names Jack-in-the-green came about because of the way the small, green leaves surround the flowers like a collar. Also considered a double English primrose, it combines the look of romaine lettuce leaves* and white double roses in miniature. How can you not help but love this primrose in your garden?
I ignored the genus Primula for a long time, except for quick spot of color impulse buy in winter, and a few choice ones here and there. I am finding myself wanting more. From species to double hybrids, this genus is a fun one to explore. I've gone through stages of plant types before. One year I noticed I had mostly plants with tall racemes and spikes of flowers. Looks like this stage is going to see my garden filled with squatty, rosette-forming perennials. It’s a good thing I have an abundance of established shrubs and trees, because with perennials, I never seem to strike a balance. I'm just thankful this phase is not about barberries.
Double primroses do not set seed and have very little pollen. A single Primula flower needs to be the seed parent. Collecting pollen from a double flower means hybridizers must dissect it to reach what little pollen the flower harbors. Knowing this makes me appreciate double primroses even more.
*But don't make salad out of it.
Debbie Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.

Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton
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