Cyclamen coum

Posted by Nicole Low on January 5th, 2020

Cyclamen coum

I grow virtually all of the species of Cyclamen here. All are valuable additions to the garden or alpine house and it would be a hard run thing to pick a true favorite! Nevertheless when it comes to sheer ease and adaptability, plus the fact I have more leaf forms of C coum than any other species - it has quite a lot going for it! Flowers are borne from December through to March and the peak display is throughout February. More information about plants you can find in best plant identification app 2019.

The white form seen here is joined by just about every shade of pink through cerise to magenta purple. Leaf forms are too numerous to mention, my initial enthusiasm for the "Pewter" forms now being replaced by the brilliant Silvers (the best "CSE" forms for me have a narrow deep green "Christmas tree" at their center).

Outside in the garden, it could be deemed a "weed", the whole garden is dotted with colonies here and there. The alpine house plunge and even cracks between paving slabs on the floor here also provide a home! The garden soil is neutral, fairly well drained and obviously to it's liking. Plants in pots now reside in a compost of equal parts JI No 3, leaf mold and per lite with a few slow release nutrient granules added. The tubers are planted near the top of the pot, covered with 1-2cm of neat grit top dressing.

Plants are re potted when they need it, usually every other year. Water is withheld somewhat during the summer dormant period and care is taken not to soak the top dressing during the autumn - over wet conditions then, may contribute towards rotting of the new buds in unventilated conditions. Plants outside of course, couldn't care less, they just grow and multiply.