Cyclamen coum Hybrids (Hardy Cyclamen) Janauary 8th 2001

How to grow Cyclamen coum Hybrids

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Cyclamen coum Hybrids are not the normal 'pot plant' cyclamen which is not hardy, though they are being planted out increasingly in sheltered positions. Cyclamen coum is a hardy variety which can stay in the garden border for ever if required. Unlike some of the other hardy cyclamen, it flowers in late winter/early spring with the foliage showing. Other hardy Cyclamen such as the Cyclamen neapolitanum (C. hederifolium) flower in the Autumn - before the foliage grows through. You will note that it is a 'herbaceous' plant, which simply means that it 'dies' down each year for a rest. (Most herbaceous plants die down and have their 'rest' in the winter and then 'live it up' in the Spring and Summer - a much more sensible idea) The attractive foliage of the Cyclamen coum Hybrids persists well into the year.

Cyclamen coum Hybrids are a dainty group of flowering tuberous plants, with flowers ranging from white, through various pinks and into deepest carmine red. They tend to self seed themselves, so be careful of any 'weeding' you may do around the plant. Do not hoe, or when they are dormant, you cane accidentally scalp the top of the corm - taking off the flower buds in the process. 

Cyclamen coum will grow in a rock garden, or raised bed - not great lovers of wet conditions - and are particularly suited at the front of shrub borders (Tucked away beneath some deciduous shrub). A great way to herald the Spring. 

If you want to try growing Cyclamen coum from seed, then sow the seed as soon as it is ripe. Sow the seed on the surface of the compost; cover the seed pot/tray with black plastic to keep dark, but remove as soon as the seeds start to germinate. Then sprinkle some vermiculite over the chitted seeds to anchor them to the compost. Grow on in cool conditions - 1 per 75cm pot. Use a no-soil compost.