The auricula is surely nature's art at its finest. Exquisite colours, a silvery powdery coating, known as farina, and its still-life quality make it so desirable and decorative that its devotees are known as auricula “fanciers”. In cultivation for nearly 500 years, the auricula developed from wild primulas found high in the Alps and became popular in mid-16th-century Viennese gardens. When transported by merchants to Britain, the plant was seized on for its beauty, and in the 18th century enthusiasts expanded the family of plants to vast numbers. Auriculas were displayed on tiered stands, known as “theatres”, and everyone, from peers of the realm to amateur gardeners, turned their hand to growing them. Today, auriculas are still widely “fancied”, and the National Auricula Society, founded in 1872, has a busy schedule of shows, especially in April and May, when these charming plants perform to perfection.

AURICULA TYPES
Show auriculas are divided into four types: Edged, Self, Fancy and Striped. They have a distinctive circular band at the centre of the flower, called the paste, which is pure white and smooth. The farina or meal is the white powdery deposit found on some flowers, foliage and stems. In addition to the basic petal colour, there is a body of colour around the paste which is normally black.
• Edged auriculas have the most peculiar-looking flowers, as the petals are similar in structure to the leaves. Green Edged Shows have little or no farina and the petals, like the foliage, are green. Cultivars: 'Prague', 'Fleminghouse', 'Figaro', 'Orb'. Greys have a light farina over the edge of the flowers and the foliage. Cultivars: 'Clare', 'Grey Hawk', 'Margaret Martin'. Whites have a dense farina. Cultivars: 'Slioch', 'C G Haysom', 'White Ensign'.
• Selfs have mono-coloured flower edges around the paste, with no shading or farina; the foliage has light farina. Cultivars: 'Joel', 'Gleam', 'Lisa's Smile', 'Red Gauntlet', 'Wincha'.
• Fancies have a body colour that is anything but black, and farina. Cultivars: 'Hawkwood', 'Rajah', 'Star Wars', 'Sweet Pastures'.
• Striped have only recently been rediscovered and have clearly defined radial stripes of colour on the petals. Cultivars: 'Arundell', 'Lord Saye and Sele', 'Mazetta Stripe', 'Raleigh Stripe'.
• Alpines are easy to cultivate and have gold or light centres; petal shading is intense around the centre. Cultivars: 'Avril Hunter', 'Argus', 'Erica', 'Sirius'.
• Doubles have extra rows of petals which are smooth and unnotched. Cultivars: 'Jane Myers', 'Golden Splendour', 'Susannah'.
• Borders have single-coloured petals with frilly edges. Cultivars: 'Paradise Yellow', 'Doctor Lennon's White'.

HOW TO DISPLAY AURICULAS
Create a beautiful display in your garden or conservatory.
• Make a tiered “theatre” or an eye-level table-top arrangement.
• Plant auriculas in simple antique terracotta or long tom pots.
• Arrange similar colours and types together for impact.
• Put the smallest plant at the front of the display, graduating to the tallest at the back.
• Keep the flowers upright with subtle staking and tie with raffia.
• Use cotton buds or brushes to remove any stray farina.
• Use black labels with plant names written in silver pen.

HOW TO GROW AURICULAS
Small and pretty, auriculas look wonderful planted at the front of a border, but if you grow them in pots, you can move them around to create varying displays. Feed only in March, with diluted tomato fertiliser, and treat with Provado once a year to prevent pests. Potted auriculas should be repotted once a year in an equal-parts mix of John Innes No 2, horticultural grit and peat-based compost. Do not overwater, but avoid the soil drying out – plastic pots need less watering; only three waterings are needed during the winter. Stand pots in a cool, shaded place, with no direct sunlight between 9 am and 4 pm. Protect under open cover in winter and spring, as rain damages and smears the farina. Increase your collection by taking cuttings during repotting.

WHERE TO SEE AURICULAS
• See the original auricula “theatre” at the National Trust's Calke Abbey , Ticknall, Derbyshire, late April to mid May, (01332) 863822; and a reproduction “theatre” at the National Botantic Garden of Wales, Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire, late March to late May, (01558) 668768.
• Many of the auriculas shown on these pages were photographed in Jane-Ann Walton's garden near Holt, Norfolk. Visits by appointment only; telephone (01263) 861369.
• Mary Keen's garden, The Old Rectory, near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, includes an auricula “theatre”. Open under the National Gardens Scheme; call (01483) 211535, or see The Yellow Book for details.

WHERE TO BUY AURICULAS
• Drointon Nurseries, near Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 5EF, (07909) 971529; plants only.
• Field House Alpines, Leake Road, Gotham, Nottinghamshire NG11 0JN (0115) 983 0278; plants and seeds.

For more information, including in-depth guides and auricula show information, contact the National Auricula & Primula Society Midland & West Section, (01530) 222458. The website has links to other national auricula societies.

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS JULIETTE WADE
APRIL 2006