Flower Fairies by Cicely Mary Barker - Polyanthus Fairy

"How do you do, Grape Hyacinth!
How do you do?"
"Pleased to see you, Polyanthus,
Pleased to see you,
With your stalk so straight
and your colours so gay.
"Thank you, neighbour!
I've heard good news today."

"What is the news, Polyanthus?
What have-you heard?"
"News of the joy of Spring,
In the song of a a bird!"
"Yes, Polyanthus, yes,
I heard it too;
That's why I'm here,
with my bells in spires of blue."

In the seventeenth century, two types of primula were crossed to become polyanthus. They bloom from winter to spring and are hardy perennials. Primulas like fertile, well-drained soil with part shade and plenty of water. Propagate from seed or by root cuttings. 

Fairy folklore credits the primrose for making the invisible visible. It is believed that if you touch a fairy rock with the correct number of primroses in a posy, the way to fairy land and fairy gifts is made clear. The wrong number means certain doom.