Last year, The New York Botanical Garden unveiled a new auricula theater amid the herbs and flowers of the Nancy Bryan Luce Herb Garden. This year, the charming traditional display of magnificent auricula primroses returns from April 11 through May 11. Designed by The Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury (Lady Salisbury), the renowned horticulturist who restored her legendary garden at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, England, in the spirit of its original 17th-century design, the dramatic display of auricula primroses will delight and inspire garden visitors of all ages.

An auricula theater is an arrangement of tiered staging used to showcase these rare and choice primroses when they are in flower. Auricula primroses, velvety flowers in numerous stunning even startling color combinations and patterns, derive from two species native to the mountains of Europe. The combination of Primula auricula, a delicate alpine species with yellow flowers, and Primula hirsute, with red and blue flowers, has produced a kaleidoscope of amazing and highly collectible cultivars.

The tradition of building auricula theaters began in France and Belgium, perhaps as early as the 17th century. The earliest versions, built to protect the exquisite flowers from rain and wind, ranged from shallow, open-fronted boxes with simple shelves to more elaborate forms ornamented with ormolu, an alloy resembling gold in appearance.

The practice of building auricula theaters was raised to an art form in 19th-century England, where many estates with fine gardens included an auricula theater, the most elaborate of which evoked grand stages, with faux-painted curtains and proscenium arches adding drama to the composition. At the same time, the cultivation and display of auricula primroses became popular among coal miners in England and Wales, who took delight in the beautiful flowers and the elaborate stages.

Dozens of auricula primroses, grown from seed and divisions by the horticulturists in the Botanical Garden’s Nolen Greenhouses for Living Collections, will be showcased in this beautiful and engaging theater designed by Lady Salisbury. Interpretative panels will introduce Garden visitors to the history of auricula primrose cultivation and display.

The New York Botanical Garden is located on property owned in full by the City of New York, and its operation is made possible in part by public funds provided through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. A portion of the Garden’s general operating funds is provided by The New York City Council and The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The Bronx Borough President and Bronx elected representatives in the City Council and State Legislature provide leadership funding.