I am determined to have one (bought or built). And each spring for the last four years The New York Botanical Gardens opens its auricula theater designed by garden historian The Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury (below). Vita Sackville-West had a small auricula theater made at Sissinghurst (above). The second I have adjusted to get closer to the flowers’ actual colour. Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9. Fragrant, mealy-centred bright yellow flowers 1.5-2.5cm in width are carried in umbels on stems to 20cm in height. The theaters can be simple or elaborate, and to this day auriculas have starring roles in flower shows (plant collectors, like Simon Lockyer, win trophies for their auriculas and have dedicated their life to them). To start, two pictures illustrating how my camera alters colours. auricula is an evergreen perennial with rosettes of obovate, sometimes mealy, pale green leaves. The stand has six rings for six 85mm flower pots.
Then some imaginative soul came up with the idea of a theater for these showstoppers (this happened in the 1700s). With beautiful leaf detailing on each point and a hanging bracket to attach it to the wall. Originally from the mountainsides of Europe, auriculas have been collected, cultivated, and coveted since the 1500s. Thus the showcasing and shelter of the theater. And they are sweetly scented, especially en masse. Their patterned, multicoloured petals are dusted with powdery farina, and held high, on long, straight stalks. Auricula flowers are exquisite perfection. Their blooms are exquisite and delicate, and they will not tolerate direct sun or wind or rain. As soon as I saw the little auricula theatre at Sissinghurst Castle Garden last month, I just knew I had to have one. Because apparently auriculas (a type of primrose) are quite the divas. And they are exactly what they sound like: a kind of stage for potted auriculas.
AURICULA THEATRE FULL
A spring collection of auriculas in bloom (an auricula theatre) RM CE8MNC Auricula theatre full of flowering plants in pots, Ticknall, Derbyshire, England, UK. I’ve read about them and seen photographs. RM EJR6D5 The National Botanic Garden of Wales, Llanarthney, Wales, UK. They’re so whimsical and wonderful I can’t believe I have never seen one in real life.
But I have a new favorite thing-the auricula theater. When you are my age you think you have seen it all.
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