Posted by
NHJenDion (Southern NH - Zone 5b) on May 13, 2021 5:55 PM concerning plant:
I completely agree with the previous reviewer. After several years of waiting, I received WHITE buds, with WHITE flowers. I have no idea how the photos of YELLOW lilacs were taken, because there is no way the plant that I purchased as Primrose looks even remotely yellow. And I have excellent color vision, lol. Quite a disappointment, and I hope others who read this don't spend their time and money on this one.
Posted by
Paintedtrillium (Southern Maine - Zone 6a) on May 20, 2022 9:43 PM concerning plant:
One of the posters mentioned that she did not know how some of the photographs were taken as her 'Primrose' was white. Another agreed that her plant was also white. Thank you for sharing your observations.
I affirm that my photographs of the pale yellow 'Primrose' were taken with a phone camera and the pale yellow color is true to the color I witnessed at that nursery. (I also grew and enjoyed this in my own garden for many years until it unfortunately became over-shaded by fast growing shade trees. I look forward to one day enjoying the blooms again from replanted suckers.) Many of the online photos on various websites are color enhanced, contributing to false expectations that this Lilac is a deep yellow.
A tiny bit of history… the original yellow color of what was to become 'Primrose' was discovered on a single branch of a white 'Marie Legraye' lilac, a favorite forcing Lilac in the European cut flower trade. The branch was successful propagated as a yellow lilac, eventually introduced in 1949 and became much celebrated for its unique pale yellow color over many years.
This week, 'Primrose' was again available for sale at a local nursery. The plants in bloom had creamy white flowers, not pale yellow. The flowers otherwise bear a striking similarity to 'Primrose'. Although the nursery was different, the distributor was the same.
I then found a reference to Primrose in a bulletin of the International Lilac Society stating that the florets are primrose yellow in bud but fade to white with age. So, perhaps these white flowers (shown in a separate post) had been yellow florets that faded in the bright sun. Unfortunately, I had not seen them in bud.
If people have Primrose that is not a soft yellow in bud and when first opening, I would be concerned that it is not a true to name plant.
Best wishes!
Posted by
Paintedtrillium (Southern Maine - Zone 6a) on May 20, 2022 9:46 PM concerning plant:
Posted by
Paintedtrillium (Southern Maine - Zone 6a) on May 20, 2022 9:52 PM concerning plant:
Creamy white
Posted by
frankrichards16 (Clinton, Michigan - Zone 5b) on May 15, 2018 4:06 PM concerning plant:
"Syringa 'Primrose', Yellow Lilac, , USDA Hardiness Zone 3, Creamy Yellow, Michigan Bloom Month 5.
Unusual yellow flowered lilac. Introduced in 1949, Primrose bears numerous graceful, yet dense panicles of pastel yellow flowers in mid-spring. Won a Royal Horticulture Society Award of Merit in 1950. Usually more cream or creamy-yellow. In some cases, it only appears unique when grown amidst white-flowered plants for contrast. Planted in 2013. No blooms in 2014 or 15. My guess is that this plant will be like my 'Claire de lune' peony, WHITE."
pale yellow
