What are these flowers?

 While in New Zealand we visited a garden in an area north of Rotorua
where people can grow tender Vireya Rhododendrons in their gardens and
saw these flowers.  

http://home.dejazzd.com/shenning/55.jpg

I have no idea what they are.  I thought they might be a Chinese Primula
but they apparently don't come in blues and these came in white,
lavendar, light blue and blue.  It is not a typical primula leaf.

Please help me.  I am giving a talk to a garden club about NZ
rhododendrons but it would be great it I could give some clue as to what
these flowers are.  I am curious also.

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Pardon my spam deterrent; send email to rhodyman@earthlink.net
Cheers, Steve Henning in Reading, PA USA  http://home.earthlink.net/~rhodyman

 They are cineraria or Pericallis x hybridus (syn. Cineraria cruentus), a
member of the aster family native to the Canary Islands. Normally sold as an
annual or flowering houseplant in this country, they like the similar moist,
shady conditions of primulas.

pam - gardengal




http://home.earthlink.net/~rhodyman

 Absolutely right on, Pam.

You beat me to it.

 

Thanks very much.  You hit it right on the head.

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Pardon my spam deterrent; send email to rhodyman@earthlink.net
Cheers, Steve Henning in Reading, PA USA  http://home.earthlink.net/~rhodyman