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EnglishWhat Is an Auricula? A Beginner's Guide to the Flower and the Society That Grows It
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An auricula is a cultivated primula — a member of the genus Primula — grown for its showy, often fragrant spring flowers, and it has been a specialist flower-show subject in Britain for centuries. You can start with it as a garden plant or as a pot-grown "florist" flower; the difference is how strictly you follow show standards. The easiest way to learn either approach is through a local society such as the National Auricula and Primula Society (NAPS) Southern Section, which welcomes beginners and holds open shows and meetings in Surrey.
Auricula, Polyanthus and Primula: what's the difference?
These names overlap, so it helps to separate them:
| Term | What it refers to | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Primula | The plant genus, covering hundreds of species | Botanical umbrella term |
| Auricula | A group of cultivated primulas bred for show and garden display, with mealy or powdery foliage and clustered spring flowers | Potted specimens, alpine beds, shows |
| Gold-laced polyanthus | A primula hybrid grown for flowers with a dark centre and a contrasting "lace" edge | Traditional show flower, borders |
The NAPS Southern Section describes itself as devoted to "Auriculas, Gold-laced Polyanthus and other Primulas," so all three sit within the same hobby tradition. If you are new to the group, treat "auricula" as the show-flower branch and "polyanthus" as its close relative with the laced pattern.
What "florist standards" means
"Florist" here is the old sense of a specialist flower grower, not a shop. Florist standards are the agreed judging criteria — flower shape, colour, truss (the cluster of blooms), foliage and presentation — used at shows. A plant grown to those standards is judged against the ideal for its class; a plant grown for your own garden does not need to meet them.
This matters for beginners because it explains why show plants are usually grown in pots under controlled conditions: the standard rewards even, symmetrical trusses and clean, well-formed leaves, which is easier to achieve when you can move the pot. You can enjoy auriculas without ever entering a show, but knowing the standards helps you read catalogues and show schedules.
A society with real history
The NAPS Southern Section states that it was created in 1876 and that its members follow a tradition "more than four hundred years" old. That long continuity is part of the appeal: varieties and show conventions have been passed down between growers, and joining a section plugs you into that knowledge rather than starting from scratch.
The Southern Section's site lists its upcoming events, which gives you a concrete way to make contact:
- Saturday 24 October 2026 — Autumn Meeting & AGM, 1–4pm, Waterfield Room, Church Road, Great Bookham, Surrey KT23 3PQ
- Saturday 3 April 2027 — 57th Primula Show, Old Barn Hall, Church Road, Great Bookham, Surrey KT23 3PQ; open to the public at 2:00pm
- Saturday 24 April 2027 — 140th Auricula Show, Old Barn Hall, Church Road, Great Bookham, Surrey KT23 3PQ; open to the public at 2:00pm
- Saturday 9 October 2027 — Autumn Meeting & AGM, 1–4pm, Waterfield Room, Great Bookham, Surrey KT23 3PQ
The show numbers are a useful signal of scale and continuity: a 140th auricula show means this is an established, recurring event rather than a one-off.
How to get started
- Visit a show first. The April shows are open to the public from 2:00pm, so you can see finished plants and talk to growers before buying anything. Check the venue and date on the society's site before travelling.
- Go to a meeting. The autumn meetings and AGM are a lower-pressure way to meet members; the published times are 1–4pm at the Waterfield Room in Great Bookham.
- Ask about joining. The society's own welcome text invites newcomers to "join us," and membership is the normal route to seed exchanges, plant sales and cultivation advice. Ask at a meeting or via the site's contact route what membership involves.
- Choose your growing style. Decide whether you want garden plants or pot specimens for show. Show growing means pots, careful watering and attention to foliage; garden growing is more forgiving.
- Start with a few plants, not a collection. Buy or receive a small number, learn how they perform in your conditions over one season, then expand.
Common sticking points
- Assuming the shows are members-only. The published listings say the April shows are open to the public at 2:00pm; the meetings are the member-facing events, so check before attending one as a guest.
- Confusing auricula with polyanthus when buying. Ask the seller which group the plant belongs to, since show classes and judging differ.
- Expecting a full mail-order or price list from the site. The page evidence covers the society's purpose and events, not plant sales or costs, so confirm availability directly with the section.
Is it worth joining?
Join if you want judged show growing, access to experienced growers and a calendar of local events; the Southern Section's long history and regular shows make it a practical entry point in Surrey. If you only want a few spring flowers in the garden, you can grow primulas without a society — but a single show visit costs little and will tell you quickly whether the hobby suits you.