A perennial of the Primulaceae family, this horticultural selection is derived from Primula veris, the common primrose, a species widely spread in meadows, banks, and grassy edges throughout Europe, from plains to mountainous regions. It has received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
The habit is true to the species, with a rosette of oval, wrinkled leaves, strongly veined, velvety to the touch, in a strong medium green. The erect flower stems, 20 to 30 cm tall, bear drooping umbels of tubular flowers characteristic of veris, but in a range of colors that nature does not produce: coppery orange to deep brick red, with a bright yellow throat strongly contrasting and petal edges often darker.
In its natural habitat, the flowering of the type species extends from April to May. In cultivation, 'Sunset Shades' blooms at the same time.
It is grown in fresh, well-drained, humus-rich soil, in sun or partial shade. Propagation by seed does not faithfully reproduce the colors; dividing the clumps is preferable to maintain the selection.