Horticultural cultivar of the Primula x pubescens group, a hybrid resulting from the cross between Primula auricula and Primula hirsuta, belonging to the Primulaceae family. This hybrid group finds its origins in the European Alps, where the two parent species coexist on rocks, scree, and rocky ledges at altitudes between approximately 1,500 and 3,000 meters.
'Argus' is a small perennial, forming a compact and well-structured rosette, reaching 10 to 15 cm in height when in flower. The foliage is fleshy, light to medium green, slightly farinaceous on some specimens, with a finely toothed margin, characteristic of the pubescens group.
The flowers, borne in an umbel on a short and sturdy stem, are a deep purple-violet, almost dark, with a very clear and well-defined white eye that constitutes the most striking feature of the cultivar. The flower buds appear almost black before anthesis, enhancing the contrast at the time of opening. In cultivation, flowering occurs in April-May.
'Argus' is one of the oldest recorded and most regularly awarded cultivars of this group by the Alpine Garden Society. It is grown in bright to semi-shade exposure, in well-drained, slightly calcareous soil, sheltered from stagnant winter moisture. Pot or container culture under cold shelter is perfectly suitable for showcasing it.