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24 November 2009
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Cyclamen

The hardy cyclamen family produces flowers from the first dewy autumn morning through the winter into early spring and beyond. They are surprisingly shade tolerant and bloom profusely under trees and shrubs.

Varieties

Autumn displays

Most hardy cyclamen varieties are self-seeding and the flowering season traditionally begins in the autumn.

C. hederifolium : Usually the first variety to come into flower outdoors, producing light pink blooms up to 15cm (6in) tall, above silver-green rounded or arrow-shaped leaves. The foliage has a strong purple underside. It is a self-seeding plant whose leaf and flower colours can vary, depending on the parent plant and where it is positioned.
Two particular varieties are noteworthy:
C. hederifolium album: Produces pure white flowers and is readily grown.
C. hederifolium 'Bowles' Apollo': Particularly noted for its attractive, heavily marbled leaves that provide a wonderful display.

Spring displays

During early spring many varieties are at their best. Hardy cyclamen will hold their leaves until late spring when they start to shrivel and die back for the summer.

Cyclamen coum : The most hardy and dependable species, it produces carmine flowers stained darkly at the mouth. It loves leafy, humus-rich soil and looks good with other winter flowers that enjoy the same soil conditions, such as hellebores and Crocus tommasinianus . Cyclamen coum also has varieties with attractive silver patterning on the foliage.
'Nymans': Cyclamen coum type with purple flowers and largely silver leaves. It needs shelter from excessive cold and wind.
Another 'Tile Barn Elizabeth' Cyclamen coum example which produces small leaves and bicoloured pink flowers. It also requires adequate sheltering from the elements.

Other species

C. libanoticum : Suitable for milder regions, this is an unusual and bold plant with blue-grey and green leaves. Its almost white flowers blush pink with age.
C. pseudibericum : Produces attractive dark leaves with grey-green marbling and striking magenta blooms, sweetly scented and with a purple base. Widely used in small rockeries or patio planters where its slightly delicate flowers can receive some shelter in extreme cold.
C. trochopteranthum : This variety has half-twisted carmine or pink petals, like whirring propellers, above heart-shaped leaves zoned with silver. Strikingly complementary when planted with Cyclamen pseudibericum .
C. purpurascens : Originates from the woodlands of Austria and Switzerland and is often evergreen, usually holding its silver patterned, rounded leaves throughout the year. During late summer it produces highly fragrant, lilac-pink to red-purple flowers on stems 10cm (4in) high. As this plant is low-growing, position it carefully so that it is not lost among the taller summer growth around it.

Planting conditions

In the wild, cyclamen inhabit rocky outcrops in semi-arid regions of Turkey and the eastern Mediterranean.

They are protected from burning sunlight by the shade from surrounding plants. The plants have adapted well to British gardens, where dry soil and heavy shade from overhanging branches are commonplace.

In a garden which does not have any large shrubs or trees that can be under planted, hardy cyclamen may be positioned in any well-drained soil in dappled shade. They will need mulching each year with leaf-mould.

Hardy cyclamen's low habit and preference for shade means that they are best used as ground cover beneath deciduous plants. Here, the flowers and attractive leaves will provide a feature until late spring when its neighbouring larger plants again come into leaf.

Plant care

Some hardy cyclamen are actually tender and may not be left outside all year. These perform much better when grown in pots in a cold frame with extra protection from the weather, especially excess wet.

Some tender specimens can be taken out of the cold frame and put on display while they're flowering, as long as there is no risk of frost. The corms should be dried off in the cold frame in summer, then repotted in early autumn to restart growth.

Species requiring such protection include C. africanum with light patterns on deep green leaves and white or pink flowers, and C. graecum which has dark green and silver patterned foliage and light pink flowers.

Propagation

All hardy cyclamen are tuberous perennials but are best bought as pot-grown plants in leaf, rather than being planted as dormant tubers in the autumn or spring. Despite taking a while to establish, once settled, a hardy cyclamen will soon self-seed and can spread considerably to cover large areas. New plants may be raised by collecting the golden-brown seed as soon as the capsules split in summer.

Soak the seed for 24 hours and sow 2.5cm (1in) apart in trays of John Innes seed compost. Place in a shady position at a regular temperature of around 16C (60F), however germination may be erratic. Pot on year-old seedlings and grow for another year before planting outside permanently.

Watch Monty Don's guide to dividing cyclamens and potting up individual seedlings:

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