Cyclamen Coum the hardiest of them all
Cyclamen Coum in our Scottish garden
Cyclamen Coum the hardiest of them all. I have always been keen to add Cyclamen Coum in the garden for Winter interest. In the past I planted dry corms with little success.
The ones I show today were purchased as ready grown plants in October. The 9cm pots were jam packed with healthy foliage.
The new border in the back garden which doesn’t get too much sun seemed to be the most ideal position. I had six pots of cyclamen which I planted in two groups of three.
Early November and already several blooms appeared. Now in January they are giving a great show. The flowers are small, in shades of lilac and red. They have spread quite nicely, and I am optimistic that they will perform just as well next year, all going well I will return to let you know.
Winter bloomers which we grew in our Cheshire garden.
Plant description
Cyclamen Coum is a Winter flowering tuberous perennial belonging to the Primrose family.
The leaves and flowers
After having died back completely in Summer the silver/green leaves of Cyclamen Coum reappear in Autumn followed in December or even as early as late November with charming small flowers. The 6 cm tall flowers are 2cm in width and come in shades of pink, lilac, white and red.
The flowers will continue to bloom throughout the coldest winter months until March. A welcome sight in these dreary months.
Planting position
Your Cyclamen will be happiest in a shady sort of position, under the canopy of a tree or in a border that doesn’t get much sun.
Hardiness
Cyclamen Coum is the hardiest of them all. In the UK it is regarded as being fully hardy in coastal areas. Wikipedia reports it surviving the very cold Winter temperatures of New York. I guess this would make it fully hardy throughout the UK.
Problems
Your plant likes moist soil, however poor drainage will kill it off. Likewise, in Summer even though the plants have gone to sleep it is essential not to let the area dry out, especially in late Summer. Mulch the area with compost once each year, do not feed as this will produce an abundance of leaves with little or no flowers.
If your plants do not reappear in Autumn the problem will most likely have been poor drainage. Remember, Coum is the hardiest of all the Cyclamens.
Vine weevil can be a problem.
Awards
RHS award of garden merit
More often than not, this is where I add a wee tale of what’s been going on in the garden in recent weeks. Well to be honest, the cold damp weather leaves me struggling to come up with anything. Bulb shoots are popping through though.
I think they may not survive your Winter Nadezda.
I didn’t know this cyclamen Alistair. They are very pretty. I’m afraid these cyclamen aren’t for my zone 5a, I have to read more how they winter here.
Love your photos.
Coum is still the only plant flowering in our garden at the moment Pam. If they dont come through next Autumn it wont have been to do with the Winter conditions.
I love cyclamen, Alistair, and should be able to grow them here as they are hardy to my zone. They do not survive our winters though. So disappointing. Love your Cyclamen Coum.
Cyclamen Coum is definitely the best outdoor one for the UK. Biggest chance of success with pot grown ones.
I’m trying to establish cyclamen in various areas about the garden but it’s been hit-and-miss. I planted a whole load of tubers and the birds promptly dug them up and threw them about. The supermarket also sells very cheap cyclamen that appear to be the indoor kind (with the more expensive ones being Cyclamen Coum) but it’s not always easy to tell. I think they self-seed around so that helps and I’m hoping to move seedlings around to increase stock.
Thank you Diana, The surgery to repair the macular hole has been successful. I have no improvement in my sight as yet but apparently it can take several months for this to happen.
And you Alistair? Have you recovered?
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They are a favorite and hooray for you for planting them! Please let us see these beautiful flowers in your garden again.
They are beautiful! Within a few years you will have them en masse in your borders. I love them.