Not sure what you mean by drumstick primulas - I usually think of Primula Denticulata by that name, but they flower in spring and the leaves are much smaller than 20". It might be better to move them to a spot where they can do their thing - cutting the leaves off will damage their health.

I have these too,Phs..and just cut all the dying and yellowing leaves off,and that's about it ..although if they get too big,as you say,I have been known to take more off..and they still flower well in spring again ....20 " is very big though..I don't think mine have been so large..are we on the right plant? as mine are the ones that Steragram mentions...

20" is large for any primula. However the leaves should not be cut off when green. Primula denticulata leaves die off in autumn and just leave a resting bud over winter. The leaves can be tidied up as they decay.

The leaves on mine are huge this year!! Must be all the rain :( I was thinking the same thing only this afternoon. I'm pleased you asked this question as I couldn't remember if they died back for not.

I would just leave them to die down. If the leaves have grown a lot, I would suggest they are quite happy in their position. Some primulas die down and need to be marked, but some have leaves all year. However, as Bulbaholic pointed out, the leaves will die off in autumn. I just love all primulas.

My Primula bulleyana were quite a bit smaller than usual this year until it rained and rained then they shot up. I just leave them and do nothing.

Thank you everyone who commented.

They are definitely Primula Denticulata and I think Scottish might be right when saying that the rain must have something to do with the size because the leaves were definitely larger than I expected going by the description on the packet of seeds. The plants are 2-years old now (were very small the first year) - I wonder how big they will get after another birthday! Perhaps I will move them to the middle of the border instead of the front.

Thanks again to all.

Anne

mine are like cabbages. I trim them back if they are overly big. but also split them if you want as they propagate easily this way.