Hi Debra,

I live in Southern California, so I can't really speak for the northern part of the state, but I have never even seen any of these plants in CA.

I suggest looking at the plant choices at a few California nurseries, or buying Pat Welsh's book on Southern California gardening to see some pictures of things that work well here.

Another option is to ask what people in Northern California recommend for flowering plants. Good luck!
Renee

ps. I love those colors together.

Sure you can grow primula in Pacifica. They will bloom all winter and right into summer. Pacifica has routinely cool weather with no frost, year around. When inland heats up in the summer it draws the fog into the Pacifica area from the nearby pacific ocean. Full sun plants are difficult in Pacifica. Al

I only have experience with English primroses (mainly Primula x polyantha). In my zone, which has warmer winters than Pacifica, they are grown as winter-blooming annuals, although recently some of mine have survived over the summer.

Thanks everyone for the comments. I appreciate it.

I also wanted Al to know I am so happy to see him here on the boards -- as you were one of the first posters I 'spoke' with many eons ago. Glad to see you are still gardening, and better yet, sharing your expertise with all of us.

I bought the seeds and I'll sow them this week!

Deb