Cyclamen coum
sowbread
- Position: partial shade
- Soil: moderately-fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: January to March
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Delicate pink or white flowers with upswept petals appear with the foliage from winter to early spring among rounded, silvery-green leaves with marbled markings. These diminutive cyclamen are perfect for naturalising around the base of deciduous trees and shrubs. Best in humus-rich, well-drained soil in partial shade, they make excellent companions for ferns and other shade-loving plants. Please be aware that this plant will die back completely to below ground level during the warmer months. - Garden care: Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted leaf mould around the crown of the plants in spring as the foliage starts to die back.