It's been around for so long that its name and origin are lost in the mists of time. Research indicates that it might be one of the well-known 'Harlow Car' hybrids, since it does have a prominent yellow eye, which is characteristic of these complex hybrids, but that's only a wild guess. Periodically, a few would be dug and moved to a bed or border where they could be seen and enjoyed, only to have them fade away and disappear in a season or two, despite copious watering in our hot, dry summers. It finally came home to me that these are really bog plants who require constant deep moisture to be happy. The image really doesn't capture the color of these flowers, which is a pristine, creamy, shell pink - just a whiff of pink, really, but, to my eye, incredibly lovely.
Some primroses bear their flowers singly on stems rising from the crown.
Others produce a cluster of flowers in an umbel at the top of the flower stem. Except for my original strain, all of mine are seed grown - from a mixed lot labeled Primula japonica . It will grow in full sun or partial shade. Most Primula are easy, warm germinators but some, including P. japonica require cold stratification. Seed does not have a long shelf life, and best results will be from fresh seed although P. japonica will give tolerable results from purchased packets.