The origin of the auricula starts with a simple alpine plant growing in the mountainous regions of central Europe. A simple yellow flower often with a ring of farina at its centre. The term farina refers to the white powdery substance found not only on the flower, but also stems and foliage. This is seen to varying degrees on the plants of today which have resulted from centuries of breeding
Border auriculas
Charming cottage garden plants traditionally grown in borders and alpine beds, but nowadays grown in pots and planters for display alongside other auriculas. Growing in the garden requires a humus rich well drained soil that neither dries out in Summer or gets waterlogged in winter. Harder to achieve with our climate moving toward wetter winters. Avoid south facing spots in direct sunlight. We find them useful in pots and troughs where the ideal compost mix can be used.
Alpine auriculas
Perfect for theatres. Generally easy to grow and therefore an ideal introduction for beginners. Their perfect form and colour range exemplify the charm of the auricula. Hardy enough to survive outdoors and even to grow in borders, they are however seen at their best at eye level. They can be identified as a group by the way the colour of the petal grades from a darker centre to lighter outer edges.
Double auriculas
These have more than the usual number of petal compared to other auriculas and have a beauty of their own with a good colour range.
Hardy enough for border cultivation given the right conditions, as with border auriculas they look equally as good with pot display.
Show self auriculas
The part of the flower (or pip) outside of the central white paste is of uniform colour making this group easy to identify. Their beauty is in their simplicity and combined with attractive farina covered foliage as show plants they are hard to beat. Much of the beauty arises from the farina which will wash off in the rain and therefore , as with other show auriculas, require shelter.
Show edged auriculas
The epitome of elegance and much collected.At some point in development the edge has evolved to be formed by leaf material. Finely feathered, the edge must not reach the paste. The edge may be green, grey or white depending on the amount of farina.Strictly speaking true edges have a consistent black body colour and when other colours are present, as below, these are placed in the fancy group, equally stunning.
Show stripe auriculas
Striping is evenly distributed from the central paste to the boundary.
Generally vigorous and propagate well.
