What Are Barnhaven Primroses

By Jay Lunn

The term “Barnhaven primroses” probably infers many things and may depend a lot on the beholder. In Far North Gardens’ 1988-89 catalog, Karen Krusinski, the proprietor, quoted Allen Lacy of The New York Times: “Florence Bellis’s place in the International world of horticulture is assured, thanks to her achievement in originating - over many decades of careful and imaginative hybridization - the many strains of primroses collectively named after her Oregon home Barnhaven.” In Florence Bellis’ book Gardening and Beyond she wrote “Now the Barnhaven strains of primroses, in various forms, are known and grown everywhere.” And, “Long after the Barnhaven strains had become horticultural history I was told that I had committed the cardinal sin of linebreeding.”. And finally, “But the most riveting, considered the outstanding polyanthuses of all time, is the Barnhaven Cowichan strain begun in 1942.”. It appears that in the latter years, the name Barnhaven was applied to various strains of primroses that she developed and which were continued on by the Sinclairs and, subsequently, by Angela Bradford.

In Lew and Florence Levy’s (later Florence Bellis) 1940 Barnhaven Gardens catalog, it listed: “Barnhaven Strain of Polyanthus, or Bunch Primroses, bearing many flowers on each stalk. Barnhaven Strain of Primula Acaulis, flowers borne on single stems rising from crown of plant.” In the 1954-1955 catalog of Barnhaven Gardens there appeared: “These Barnhaven Polyanthus, which have come to be called ‘Silver Dollar Primroses’ because the size of each flower equals or exceeds silver dollar size, are beautiful plants.” The term Silver-Dollar Primroses was first used by Florence in 1952. In Barnhaven Catalog No. 17, Silver-Dollar Acaulis Seed was listed. In 1974, Barnhaven double primroses (acaulis) were listed.

In 1968, Jared W. & Sylvia M. Sinclair assumed the task of growing the Barnhaven stock. Their 1979 catalog, included the following statements: “But what of Barnhaven? The work went on, the color range and reputation of the Barnhaven Strains waxed ever wider and they accumulated countless awards the world over.” And, “Besides the continuing work on the polyanthus and primrose, the first seed strains of julianas were introduced (Wanda and Garryarde Guinevere are the most popular of the old-timers in this group). From seed sent from Cheshire by the late Captain Hawkes, seed strains of the old Elizabethan primroses were developed and from a portion of a weak little plant created nonchalantly by a wartime bee. In British Columbia the Cowichan polyanthus was rescued from certain oblivion. The late Mr. R. H. Briggs of Lancashire collected some seed from scraps of the almost extinct gold laced polyanthus he’d managed to salvage during the war and he sent Florence Bellis part of his harvest in 1945.” And, “Her last contribution to the primrose world was the introduction of the famous Barnhaven double primroses from seed, and she was almost trampled into the ground in the stampede that followed.” Also, “Barnhaven’s famous strain of this precious little flower [gold-laced polyanthus], and the only strain still in commerce maintained in the true tradition of those whiskery old artisan florists who clattered in their clogs along the cobbled streets of the smoky old towns so many moons ago.” They continued the use of the term Silver Dollar Primroses. In addition to the primroses already mentioned, the Sinclair’s also listed Barnhaven double auriculas and Barnhaven Sieboldii in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s.

As you can see, there is considerable justification for associating the Barnhaven name to strains of primroses, particularly the polyanthus. However, it appears that the Sinclairs produced double auriculas and Primula sieboldii plants and seed that were sold under the Barnhaven banner, so it could be argued that it has become a house name. They were also sold by Far North Gardens under the Barnhaven name. After Florence closed her nursery, she produced the seed for the Sinclairs, Far North, and a couple of other nurseries in the U.S. to grow double acaulis and gold laced polyanthus plants. Until Angela Bradford assumed the responsibility for carrying on the Barnhaven legacy, only the Sinclairs and Far North were using the Barnhaven moniker. In the 1992 Barnhaven Primroses catalog, Angela wrote “The Sinclairs added several new series to the original Barnhaven range, as well as developing the double auriculas and rescuing the lovely Primula sieboldii from oblivion.”

Photo Credit: Robert Tonkin of 'Blue Cowichan" grown by Ed Buyarski