This pretty plant from China, which is also known as German primrose or poison primrose, produces masses of large, fragrant blooms during the early months of the year, in shades of white, pink, salmon, lilac, magenta, or red, each with a distinctive apple- green eye.

Several specimens can be grouped together for instant effect, or individuals can be used to add short term color to a more permanent foliage arrangement. The flowers are borne in clusters on 1 ft. (30 cm) stalks emerging from amid leaves that are roughly circular, coarse, and covered with fine hairs.

Size: Height 1 ft. (30 cm).

Light: Cool light.

Temperature: Keep cool; 50—55°F (10—12°C).

Moisture: Keep thoroughly moist.

Feeding: Provide standard liquid fertilizer every two weeks.

Propagation: Commercially, primulas are grown from seed but this is not recommended in the home.

Special needs: The fine hairs that cover the leaves may cause skin irritation. Picking off flowers as they fade will prolong the flowering period. P. obconica is usually treated as an annual and discarded after flowering, but it can be brought back for a second year if kept cool and barely moist after flowering until the fall, when it can be repotted and the watering increased.