Plant variety of Primula named `Yvonne`

A new plant variety of Primula producing flowers larger than common gold-laced polyanthus Primula, more suitable for garden usage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Primula 
which was created by crossing as seed parent the common gold-laced 
polyanthus Primula with an unknown garden variety Primula having large, 
deep red flowers. The first generation progeny was crossed back to the 
gold-laced polyanthus Primula to produce the new variety. The varietal 
domination of the new variety is `Yvonne`. 
Polyanthus Primula is a perennial plant that blooms in the Spring and has a 
crown of leaves, each on a petiole extending from a short rhizome or root 
stock, typically without rachis. The foliage of `Yvonne` resembles 
polyanthus Primula. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The general morphology of the new variety is similar to polyanthus Primula, 
but differs in significant respects. Among the novel characteristics of 
`Yvonne` which distinguish it from the gold-laced polyanthus Primula and 
other varieties of Primula of which I am aware, are the size of the 
flowers of the new variety, which are nominally about 2.5 cm as compared 
to 1 to 1.5 cm for the gold-laced Primula, the general flower coloration 
and the cold hardiness of the plant, which has survived temperatures of 
-14.degree. C. without snow cover. The larger flower size of the new 
variety makes it more desireable for usage as garden plants than 
gold-laced Primula with its much smaller size flowers. 
Asexual reproduction by tissue culture micropropagation in Mount Vernon, 
Wash., shows that the foregoing and other distinguishing characteristics 
come true to form and are established and transmitted through succeeding 
propagations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY 
The following is a detailed description of the new variety with color 
terminology in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour 
Chart (R.H.S.C.C.), unless otherwise indicated. The terminology used for 
color descriptions herein refers to plate numbers in the aforementioned 
colour chart. 
The following observations were made of specimens grown under glass in 
Mount Vernon, Wash., during the month of March. Phenotypic expression may 
vary with light, environmental and cultural conditions. 
PLANT 
A. Form: Upright. 
B. Growth: Vigorous, typical of polyanthus Primula, forming crowns suitable 
for division. 
Height.--About 22 to 26 cm. 
C. Foliage: 
Size.--About 12 to 16 cm. 
Quantity.--Typical for polyanthus Primula. 
Color.--New foliage: Upper side: Medium green, near 139C. to near 139D. 
Underside: Light green, lighter than upper side. Old Foliage: Upper side: 
Medium green, near 139B to near 139D. Underside: Light green, lighter than 
upper side. 
Shape.--Elliptic. 
Texture.--Upper side: Wrinkled and veined. Underside: Wrinkled and veined. 
Edge.--Finely notched, crenated. 
Resistance to disease.--Typical of polyanthus Primula; i.e. subject to 
mollusc attack, cutworms; no special disease susceptibility observed. 
D. Winter hardiness: Has shown hardiness in open ground without snow cover 
to minus 14.degree. C. in Pacific Northwest. 
FLOWER 
A. Inflorescence: Terminal, umbellate; cluster of flowers in a spreading, 
symmetrical umbel; about 5 to 9 lobed flowers ("pips") with all pedicels 
arising from a common point on a sturdy peduncle. 
B. Bud: Elongated, trumpet shaped flower "stalk" (elongated pedicel) 
terminating in visible undersurface of petals seen as an upper end a 
near-black region which changes to mahogany red as the flower opens. 
C. Bloom: As the flower opens and ages, the petal top surface shows a 
near-black on the region of the petal top surface which lightens and 
becomes near 185A at the center with near 16A at the edges and margins; 
the margins combine with a central medial line, also near 16A, between 
petal segments; there is a golden central eye, near 16A, occupying about 
1/2 of the radius of each bloom. The petal undersurface corresponds in 
color to the petal top surface but the central yellow region may be 
obscured by sepals. It is common to have flowers with dark, near-black 
petals similar to coloration of polyanthus Primula and flowers with petals 
as described above on plants at the same time. Generally, the near-black 
or very dark purple black coloring, lightens to red as the flowers age. 
The flowers are referred to as "thrum-eyed" because the regularly arranged 
stamens occupy the mouth of the tube. 
REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 
A. Stamens, filaments and anthers: 
Arrangement.--Arranged around the mouth of the tube, with the styles hidden 
(thrum-eyed). 
Color.--Stamens are golden yellow, near 16A. 
B. Pollen: Golden yellow, near 16A; lightens with age. 
C. Styles: Not visible, typical of polyanthus Primula. 
D. Stigmas: Not visible.